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Cronk identifies the three moments where Canberra choked
Charles Goodsir • September 15th, 2025 3:03 pm
Four-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk has criticised the Canberra Raiders’ game management in the final moments of their epic Qualifying Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos.
The Raiders led 28-12 with 15 minutes remaining but were unable to ice the game with the Broncos forcing extra-time and eventually golden point.
Cronk highlighted three moments in the extra-time and golden point stanzas that he believes cost Canberra a home Preliminary Final berth.
“I could pick out at least five plays from both teams that they got wrong,” Cronk told SEN 1170.
“For the Raiders, Jamal Fogarty got caught running the ball on the fifth play (during extra time). That meant that Ethan Strange then had to kick the ball.
“I also don’t know why Jamal Fogarty didn’t try to kick the field goal in extra-time either.
“You just have to look at the scoreboard and know that scoreboard pressure can make teams do things that they wouldn’t want to normally do.
“Another moment was when Hudson Young ran across the field to put Fogarty on the wrong side of the play the ball for his missed field goal.
“Those are just a couple of moments off the top of my head.
“Ben Hunt will be celebrated and on the other side, Jamal Fogarty would like his time over again.”
The Broncos will host a preliminary final in week three of the finals series at Suncorp Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Raiders must lick their wounds and host the Cronulla Sharks in a Semi-Final on Saturday.
Despite the Broncos’ miraculous win, Cronk is adamant that if fit, veteran halfback Adam Reynolds should immediately come back into the starting side.
“Reynolds comes straight back in,” Cronk said.
“He’s seen what Reece Walsh has been doing and he can provide space for Walsh to be able to deliver those moments.
“Ben Hunt had moments, particularly in the first half, where the attack looked disjointed.
“Hunt should probably go to number six for me. Billy Walters has been doing great things and should be playing more minutes. I’d have him at nine.
“It’s time for Adam Reynolds to fit in and provide Walsh with these opportunities.
“Walsh doesn’t play second fiddle and part of being a gun halfback is seeing who is on (fire) in your team and identifying when you need to get it to that person.”
The Broncos, straight into the prelim, will play the winner of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers semi-final on Sunday.
