Canberra come back from 18-0 down to prove their premiership credentials in 22-18 win over Melbourne

Canberra have ended any doubt over their premiership credentials with a 22-18 win over Melbourne after the Green Machine trailed 18-0 early.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Jordan Rapana of the Raiders celebrates with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after scoring a try during the round 22 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park on August 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

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They are now the “real-deal’’ Raiders.

In a comeback victory that could inspire Canberra to break a 25-year premiership drought, the Raiders established themselves as genuine title contender by mowing down the Melbourne Storm.

Trailing 18-0 after two players were sin-binned in a shocking start, the Raiders pulled of a minor miracle in Melbourne with a win that could propel Canberra to their first premiership since 1994.

Stunning the Storm and silencing the crowd at AMMI Park, Josh Papalii crashed his way over the line in the 75th minute to win the remarkable match.

Scoring four unanswered tries, Jarrod Croker bagged a double before Papalii skittled the Storm to start the celebration in Canberra.

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It was one of Canberra’s greatest ever wins. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

A FOUL START

Canberra’s hopes of upsetting the Storm to move closer to a top-four finish were delivered a blow when Jack Wighton was sent to the sin bin in just the 4th minute for a professional foul.

On the backfoot after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad spilt the ball on a kick-return, Wighton paid the price for attempting to stop the Storm from tacking a quick tap following a penalty by being sent for ten.

Down to 12 men, Nicoll-Klockstad attempted to make up for his earlier error by shutting down a Cameron Munster attacking kick.

But the joy was short lived with Justin Olam pouncing on another Munster kick in the 6th minute to score the first try of the match.

Melbourne got off to an easy start. AAP Image/Scott Barbour.

THE SECOND SINNER

Joseph Tapine sensationally became the second Raider to be sin-binned after the back-rower punched Melbourne man-mountain Nelson Asafa-Solomona.

Reacting to a push during a scrum that was being set soon after Wighton returned from his sib-bin stint, Tapine put a short right on Asada-Solomona’s chin.

Reduced to 12 men for the second time in just 16 minutes, the Raiders paid an immediate price when the Storm pounced again.

Taking the lead out to 12-0 following Cameron Smith’s conversion, Josh Addo-Carr launched his way over the line after Olam put him in space.

The Raiders worked their way back into the match. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

The pain continued for Canberra when a one-on-one strip lead to further points.

Ripping away at the football following an ambitious Hodgson pass, Suliasi Vunivalu pulled off a one-on-one strip on Nick Cotric before running 30 metres to score.

As Canberra were nearly blown off the park after the opening onslaught, Croker wrestled the ball over the line with halftime nearing to make it 18-4 at the break.

THE COMEBACK

Told to rise to the challenge by Ricky Stuart at halftime, the Raiders scored first as the game resumed to make it match.

Giving them hope and setting up a fitting finish for the top-four clash, Croker landed his double when he pounced on a clever Josh Hodgson kick to score.

It’s one of Canberra’s best ever wins. AAP Image/Scott Barbour.

Croker converted his own try to make it 18-10.

The 51st minute try sparked the Raiders with Canberra peppering the Storm for the next twenty minutes.

A Jordan Rapana try off a slick ball from Nicoll-Klokstad, topped off with a sideline Croker conversion, set the stage for an epic finish.

Papalii completed the comeback when he stormed over from close range to put Canberra on track for a top-four finish.

CANBERRA 22 (J Croker 2 J Papalii J Rapana tries J Croker 3 goals) bt MELBOURNE 18 (J Addo-Carr J Olam S Vunivalu tries C Smith 3 goals) at AAMI Park. Referee: Ben Cummins, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 17,769.

Originally published as Canberra come back from 18-0 down to prove their premiership credentials in 22-18 win over Melbourne