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Raiders’ second-half blitz secures comeback win as high tackle confusion continues
Sam Kosack • April 27th, 2025 6:37 pm
Jamal Fogarty has orchestrated an unbelievable comeback for the Canberra Raiders, with the home side scoring 30 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Dolphins.
However, confusion surrounding the refereeing of high tackles has continued to overshadow games, as frustration grows over inconsistencies.
Dolphins’ five-eighth Kodi Nikorima was sin binned early in the seventh minute for a high tackle committed a set before, as the bunker paused play and intervened.
The Raiders quickly capitalised, Savelio Tamale scoring off an incredible pass from a falling Seb Kris, however, it was all the Dolphins from that point further, piling on 28 points to lead 28-10 at halftime.
Led by Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa, the Dolphins seemed to be running at will, playing an expansive game style and scoring a try of the year contender late in the half.
Such was the Dolphins’ momentum, the game appeared done before the Raiders completely flipped the script in the second half.
Jamal Fogarty, who is currently in the middle of a bidding war between the Raiders and the Manly Sea Eagles, was heavily influential in the home side’s comeback, with a try assist and a try himself as he steered his side to 30 unanswered points.
SEN League’s Justin Horo praised Fogarty after he scored the final try of the match.
“What a second half with all the chat around Jamal Fogarty over the last two or three weeks, he could have bought himself an extra season,” Horo said.
“It could be a four-year contract at 31-years-old!”
Controversies surrounding the adjudication of high tackles continued into this match, with the Raiders’ Cory Horsburgh avoiding a sin bin for high contact.
Similar to Nikorima’s dismissal, the bunker intervened after Horsburgh hit Dolphins’ fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow high, however, was only placed on report and not sin-binned.
“Hamiso was laughing with it,” SEN League commentator Jimmy Smith said.
“It’s the right call but what was the time taken to get tio it and it was an earlier infringement!
“We’re looking for perfection, we’re never going to be perfect! All we want is a good game of footy!”
It follows similar controversies emerging from Saturday’s Sea Eagles v Panthers clash, where Sea Eagles’ prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho was sin binned while in possession for a high tackle committed the set prior.
