Canberra are backing themselves to beat Penrith in Saturday’s NRL semi-final, with or without playmakers Josh Hodgson and Blake Austin.
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Hooker Hodgson remains a 50-50 chance to play against the Panthers after picking up an ankle injury in the weekend qualifying final loss to Cronulla.
The English global remains in serious doubt and will be replaced in the side by Adam Clydsdale if he is not passed fit.
The loss to Cronulla was Canberra’s first after 10 straight victories but hasn’t diminished their confidence.
But the visitors bravely fought their way back, managing to keep their line in tact for the final hour and crossing the Raiders’ twice before Maloney calmly slotted the 75th-minute kick to silence the sellout 25,292 crowd.
Coach Ricky Stuart will name the pair on Tuesday to take on the Panthers at GIO Stadium.
The injury to Gallen was a huge blow, and to compound the injury to the captain, Graham lasted just a few minutes before his night came to an abrupt end following a collision with the barnstorming Joseph Leilua that left the Sharks forward with concussion.
Canberra Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson rates himself a “slim” chance to play the Penrith Panthers.
After a stop-start opening to the match following a plethora of penalties and errors, it was Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson who broke the shackles when he sliced through some soft defence to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead after 13 minutes. Leilua’s presence was again felt for his side’s second try, running Ben Barba off his chase of Jordan Rapana’s breakaway 80-metre try in the 18th minute.
“We’ll put it behind us, get our bodies right and rip back in”.
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Veteran Luke Lewis got the Sharks within two when he grubbered through for Valentine Holmes’ 19th try of the year before Maloney set up a grandstand finish with his 66th penalty shot.
