Rampant Raiders overcome scare to consolidate top spot
If the Raiders were part of any movie, they would be starring in 'Catch Me If You Can'.
The competition leaders' 15th win from 18 starts wasn't as comfortable as the final score suggests though.
With seven rounds to go the Green Machine still have a bye in hand and won't take on any of the current top four, leaving them in the box seat to win a first minor premiership since 1990.
None of Canberra's current crop were alive at the time and coach Ricky Stuart was their halfback.
In front of a big crowd at a fast and dry GIO Stadium on Saturday, they finished strongly to win their eighth in a row.
Jed Stuart was prolific (two tries, three assists) and Joseph Tapine (165 metres) also made an impact.
The Eels were fearless, even without their $13 million man Dylan Brown after coach Jason Ryles dropped him for Joash Papalii.
The 21-year-old young gun did set up a try to Sean Russell but was unable to inspire a tired second-half outfit.
Second-rower Matt Doorey (165 metres) and Zac Lomax (one try, 228m) were also influential for Parramatta.
The Raiders' quick ball movement to the left stunned the visitors, with Stuart strolling over after just four minutes.
After extending their advantage through Zac Hosking, Parramatta sprung to life and found the next three tries to lead 16-12 at the break.
Canberra returned looking to grind through the Eels' defensive line, a stark contrast to their frantic first-half attack.
Jamal Fogarty manufactured the try to put the Raiders back in front when he lofted the ball to Sebastian Kris, who laid it off to a free Stuart for his second of the afternoon.
A late double for Owen Pattie and tries to Simi Sasagi and Ethan Strange put the result beyond doubt.
Canberra have survived a scare from wooden spoon fancies Parramatta to storm home for a 40-16 win that solidifies top spot on the NRL ladder.
If the Raiders were part of any movie, they would be starring in 'Catch Me If You Can'.
The competition leaders' 15th win from 18 starts wasn't as comfortable as the final score suggests though.
With seven rounds to go the Green Machine still have a bye in hand and won't take on any of the current top four, leaving them in the box seat to win a first minor premiership since 1990.
None of Canberra's current crop were alive at the time and coach Ricky Stuart was their halfback.
In front of a big crowd at a fast and dry GIO Stadium on Saturday, they finished strongly to win their eighth in a row.
Jed Stuart was prolific (two tries, three assists) and Joseph Tapine (165 metres) also made an impact.
The Eels were fearless, even without their $13 million man Dylan Brown after coach Jason Ryles dropped him for Joash Papalii.
The 21-year-old young gun did set up a try to Sean Russell but was unable to inspire a tired second-half outfit.
Second-rower Matt Doorey (165 metres) and Zac Lomax (one try, 228m) were also influential for Parramatta.
The Raiders' quick ball movement to the left stunned the visitors, with Stuart strolling over after just four minutes.
After extending their advantage through Zac Hosking, Parramatta sprung to life and found the next three tries to lead 16-12 at the break.
Canberra returned looking to grind through the Eels' defensive line, a stark contrast to their frantic first-half attack.
Jamal Fogarty manufactured the try to put the Raiders back in front when he lofted the ball to Sebastian Kris, who laid it off to a free Stuart for his second of the afternoon.
A late double for Owen Pattie and tries to Simi Sasagi and Ethan Strange put the result beyond doubt.
Canberra have survived a scare from wooden spoon fancies Parramatta to storm home for a 40-16 win that solidifies top spot on the NRL ladder.
If the Raiders were part of any movie, they would be starring in 'Catch Me If You Can'.
The competition leaders' 15th win from 18 starts wasn't as comfortable as the final score suggests though.
With seven rounds to go the Green Machine still have a bye in hand and won't take on any of the current top four, leaving them in the box seat to win a first minor premiership since 1990.
None of Canberra's current crop were alive at the time and coach Ricky Stuart was their halfback.
In front of a big crowd at a fast and dry GIO Stadium on Saturday, they finished strongly to win their eighth in a row.
Jed Stuart was prolific (two tries, three assists) and Joseph Tapine (165 metres) also made an impact.
The Eels were fearless, even without their $13 million man Dylan Brown after coach Jason Ryles dropped him for Joash Papalii.
The 21-year-old young gun did set up a try to Sean Russell but was unable to inspire a tired second-half outfit.
Second-rower Matt Doorey (165 metres) and Zac Lomax (one try, 228m) were also influential for Parramatta.
The Raiders' quick ball movement to the left stunned the visitors, with Stuart strolling over after just four minutes.
After extending their advantage through Zac Hosking, Parramatta sprung to life and found the next three tries to lead 16-12 at the break.
Canberra returned looking to grind through the Eels' defensive line, a stark contrast to their frantic first-half attack.
Jamal Fogarty manufactured the try to put the Raiders back in front when he lofted the ball to Sebastian Kris, who laid it off to a free Stuart for his second of the afternoon.
A late double for Owen Pattie and tries to Simi Sasagi and Ethan Strange put the result beyond doubt.
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Endure the traffic nightmare or risk a broken down train? The great Sydney Olympic Park debate
It's a question everyone asks when heading to an event at Sydney Olympic Park: how do we get there? Hop in a car and brave the roads, or use the train and risk a transport meltdown? As 80,000 fans descend on the sporting precinct on Saturday to watch the Wallabies face off against the Lions, the latest major event held at Sydney Olympic Park, traffic and parking remain a live point of debate. Parramatta reporters Anthony Segaert and Mostafa Rachwani debated the best ways to get there. Anthony: So, Mostafa, car lover. You're headed to the Lions v Wallabies game at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday (along with about 80,000 other people). How are you getting there? Mostafa: So, I live in Belmore, which means I have two options. One is to take a group of different public transport options, which include a bus to Strathfield and then a train to Sydney Olympic Park. I would have to do the same trip on the way back, which can be long and arduous, especially late at night. Or, I can book parking and drive my very reliable Mazda there. See, the most important factor here to me is comfort and control. With a car, I can choose when to leave, when to get there, when and where to go to dinner, who I interact with and who I smell. All within the comfort of my car. How would you do it? Anthony: If you have a ticket to the game, you get free public transport access across the whole network. So I'll be getting on my free bus to Central Station and then my free express train (leaving every six to eight minutes) to Sydney Olympic Park. And there are also the major event buses, which take people from places as far as Narrabeen Lakes, Maroubra, Sutherland, Tallawong and the Hills Showground, Cronulla and Dural. Take your pick! How much is your parking costing? Mostafa: Pre-booked parking is $35. Which can be steep if you are going alone, but can be reasonable if you car-pool. It does require some planning, but I would prefer the convenience to standing around waiting for trains before being shoved into a box like a bunch of sweaty sardines. Anthony: I don't know if catching a train is the hellish picture you paint it out to be. When I was leaving last year's Taylor Swift concert, for instance, it was a short walk to the train station where special event trains were leaving every few minutes. It was extraordinarily smooth. Honestly, it was beautiful to watch. Mostafa: You raise Taylor Swift, I raise the Women's World Cup saga. Mostafa: The problem in my eyes is that catching the train isn't as efficient as it is made out to be. For a full stadium of a little over 80,000 people, it would take between half an hour to a full hour to get out. Which is exactly the same, if not longer, than driving in some instances. But that wait is only to get out of Sydney Olympic Park, you still then need to traverse the network to get home. All the while, I am in my car, AC on, cool, calm and collected. I'm chilling. Anthony, stomping his feet: You're chilling in your car as you sit in the car park for ages, waiting to get out of the multi-storey building that has one entrance. You're not cool, calm and collected by the time you make it to the ground level: you're yelling, screaming, tailgating the car in front of you as you try to make it to Hill Road or approach the dreaded DFO roundabout. Or you make it to Newington, the suburb just west of the precinct, where you're facing the wrath of residents whose driveways have, once again, been blocked in by fans trying to find a car spot. You took one of the few available spots at P1, so this was their only option. It's now been 30 minutes stuck in this car. There's no chill left. Mostafa: But let's be honest, using Sydney's train network isn't always a joy either. Over the past year, nearly one in five trains in NSW has run late, with only 82.5 per cent running within five or six minutes of their scheduled time. And that is beside the instances of breakdowns or emergency works causing delays, which have not been infrequent over the past 12 months. It all means that, while you might be able to get out of Sydney Olympic Park fairly smoothly on a good day, a bad day can quickly become a terrible day. And any delays that ripple through the network could make it a catastrophic day. Anthony: Having everyone drive just isn't the answer. It's the classic 'one more lane' problem: thinking that adding more capacity for traffic will fix congestion. Actually, it won't – it'll encourage more people to use it, and that will cause congestion. So we just add one more lane … and we're soon in an American stadium hellscape, where stadiums sit in the middle of kilometres of parking lots. Mostafa: No, I think the inherent structural problem here is that Sydney Olympic Park only has one train station that is within a reasonable walking distance, not that there are too many people going. You can't walk to Lidcombe station. And while buses are certainly an option, they are the only alternative. It makes for a restrictive public transport environment. If there were more options that connected more parts of Sydney, I would maybe be inclined towards changing my mind. Anthony: I've got some wonderful news for you: Metro West, which will run between the CBD and Westmead, will stop at Sydney Olympic Park in 2032. And a year or so after that, the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail, connecting to the Parramatta CBD and beyond, will also arrive. These huge projects are going to make it easier to get around – but I accept we're not there yet. Mostafa: Look, I agree that there are better options on the horizon, but this is about getting out of Sydney Olympic Park right now. It's almost irrelevant what's planned for the future, because events are being held there today. And for people coming into SOP from other parts of western Sydney, that can be a challenge. There aren't cross-city trains that can take people from south-western Sydney or north-western Sydney into Olympic Park. So what you are saying is that this is yet another example of how divided Sydney is. There's a transport divide now. Anthony: There is, and there has been for a long time. And it comes down to the fact that all our train lines go via Central Station. That no longer suits a city as large as Sydney. Mostafa: I do understand what you're saying, but I maintain that I think it's unfair to expect western Sydney families to lug themselves around a transport system that doesn't feel designed for them – especially when driving remains a viable option. It just doesn't make sense to me otherwise. Anthony: Here's my message: if you can take public transport, take it. If you can't, drive. But don't be that person who could easily use public transport and still takes up a parking spot.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Endure the traffic nightmare or risk a broken down train? The great Sydney Olympic Park debate
It's a question everyone asks when heading to an event at Sydney Olympic Park: how do we get there? Hop in a car and brave the roads, or use the train and risk a transport meltdown? As 80,000 fans descend on the sporting precinct on Saturday to watch the Wallabies face off against the Lions, the latest major event held at Sydney Olympic Park, traffic and parking remain a live point of debate. Parramatta reporters Anthony Segaert and Mostafa Rachwani debated the best ways to get there. Anthony: So, Mostafa, car lover. You're headed to the Lions v Wallabies game at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday (along with about 80,000 other people). How are you getting there? Mostafa: So, I live in Belmore, which means I have two options. One is to take a group of different public transport options, which include a bus to Strathfield and then a train to Sydney Olympic Park. I would have to do the same trip on the way back, which can be long and arduous, especially late at night. Or, I can book parking and drive my very reliable Mazda there. See, the most important factor here to me is comfort and control. With a car, I can choose when to leave, when to get there, when and where to go to dinner, who I interact with and who I smell. All within the comfort of my car. How would you do it? Anthony: If you have a ticket to the game, you get free public transport access across the whole network. So I'll be getting on my free bus to Central Station and then my free express train (leaving every six to eight minutes) to Sydney Olympic Park. And there are also the major event buses, which take people from places as far as Narrabeen Lakes, Maroubra, Sutherland, Tallawong and the Hills Showground, Cronulla and Dural. Take your pick! How much is your parking costing? Mostafa: Pre-booked parking is $35. Which can be steep if you are going alone, but can be reasonable if you car-pool. It does require some planning, but I would prefer the convenience to standing around waiting for trains before being shoved into a box like a bunch of sweaty sardines. Anthony: I don't know if catching a train is the hellish picture you paint it out to be. When I was leaving last year's Taylor Swift concert, for instance, it was a short walk to the train station where special event trains were leaving every few minutes. It was extraordinarily smooth. Honestly, it was beautiful to watch. Mostafa: You raise Taylor Swift, I raise the Women's World Cup saga. Mostafa: The problem in my eyes is that catching the train isn't as efficient as it is made out to be. For a full stadium of a little over 80,000 people, it would take between half an hour to a full hour to get out. Which is exactly the same, if not longer, than driving in some instances. But that wait is only to get out of Sydney Olympic Park, you still then need to traverse the network to get home. All the while, I am in my car, AC on, cool, calm and collected. I'm chilling. Anthony, stomping his feet: You're chilling in your car as you sit in the car park for ages, waiting to get out of the multi-storey building that has one entrance. You're not cool, calm and collected by the time you make it to the ground level: you're yelling, screaming, tailgating the car in front of you as you try to make it to Hill Road or approach the dreaded DFO roundabout. Or you make it to Newington, the suburb just west of the precinct, where you're facing the wrath of residents whose driveways have, once again, been blocked in by fans trying to find a car spot. You took one of the few available spots at P1, so this was their only option. It's now been 30 minutes stuck in this car. There's no chill left. Mostafa: But let's be honest, using Sydney's train network isn't always a joy either. Over the past year, nearly one in five trains in NSW has run late, with only 82.5 per cent running within five or six minutes of their scheduled time. And that is beside the instances of breakdowns or emergency works causing delays, which have not been infrequent over the past 12 months. It all means that, while you might be able to get out of Sydney Olympic Park fairly smoothly on a good day, a bad day can quickly become a terrible day. And any delays that ripple through the network could make it a catastrophic day. Anthony: Having everyone drive just isn't the answer. It's the classic 'one more lane' problem: thinking that adding more capacity for traffic will fix congestion. Actually, it won't – it'll encourage more people to use it, and that will cause congestion. So we just add one more lane … and we're soon in an American stadium hellscape, where stadiums sit in the middle of kilometres of parking lots. Mostafa: No, I think the inherent structural problem here is that Sydney Olympic Park only has one train station that is within a reasonable walking distance, not that there are too many people going. You can't walk to Lidcombe station. And while buses are certainly an option, they are the only alternative. It makes for a restrictive public transport environment. If there were more options that connected more parts of Sydney, I would maybe be inclined towards changing my mind. Anthony: I've got some wonderful news for you: Metro West, which will run between the CBD and Westmead, will stop at Sydney Olympic Park in 2032. And a year or so after that, the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail, connecting to the Parramatta CBD and beyond, will also arrive. These huge projects are going to make it easier to get around – but I accept we're not there yet. Mostafa: Look, I agree that there are better options on the horizon, but this is about getting out of Sydney Olympic Park right now. It's almost irrelevant what's planned for the future, because events are being held there today. And for people coming into SOP from other parts of western Sydney, that can be a challenge. There aren't cross-city trains that can take people from south-western Sydney or north-western Sydney into Olympic Park. So what you are saying is that this is yet another example of how divided Sydney is. There's a transport divide now. Anthony: There is, and there has been for a long time. And it comes down to the fact that all our train lines go via Central Station. That no longer suits a city as large as Sydney. Mostafa: I do understand what you're saying, but I maintain that I think it's unfair to expect western Sydney families to lug themselves around a transport system that doesn't feel designed for them – especially when driving remains a viable option. It just doesn't make sense to me otherwise. Anthony: Here's my message: if you can take public transport, take it. If you can't, drive. But don't be that person who could easily use public transport and still takes up a parking spot.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Absolute disgrace': NRL icon owed an apology amid unthinkable success
Ricky Stuart has bagged refs, snarled at journalists and angrily thrown plastic bottles in to the bleachers - and it's time we all returned him some gratitude and an apology. The Raiders coach often finds himself public enemy number one, but his achievements in 2025 are a reminder this prickly pear is also an ingenious mentor who can produce a mean footy team. And while it may not be obvious to us outsiders, it also highlights his massive contribution to the game, and we're not talking about all the new NRL offices he funds with breach fines. Despite beginning the season as friendless outsiders, Stuart has transformed a Raiders side that was wooden spoon favourites in to bona fide premiership frontrunners. And while Cameron Ciraldo has done a bang-up job at Canterbury and Kristian Woolf has worked wonders creating a Dolphins team that can score from the carpark, all signs point to one thing: If Stuart's titanic deed doesn't win him the Coach of the Year award, then it would be an absolute disgrace. As we know, everyone involved in rugby league has at some point been offended by the Canberra legend, Canberra fans included. Whether slagging off opposition players, sacking blokes by overhead projector or merely picking Jamie Buhrer for NSW, chances are Sticky's done something to get up your nose. But if you look past his tightly-wound exterior and repeated sideline loogies, you'll see a passionate man manager with a deep love for his players who has worked outrageous juju. For a modestly financed club that doesn't swing its manhood around on the player market, any winning Raiders season should be considered a fine accomplishment. But in orchestrating Canberra's unlikely title drive, Stuart has cracked one of rugby league's toughest riddles by somehow syncing every player in his squad to deliver personal best form all at the same time. And by inspiring this unheralded bunch in to pole position, he's in touching distance of an iconic moment in Canberra's modern history to rival the 2019 Grand Final and that photo of Terry Campese bathing in milk. The Raiders usually struggle to convince anyone of the benefits of Burley Griffin over Bondi, but Stuart has flipped the script by nurturing a team of self-made stars that have no reservations living in a city that requires a wardrobe of 75% Gore-Tex. In addition to the steady hand of Jamal Fogarty, the emergence of Ethan Strange and an electric back five lead by Kaeo Weekes, this Raiders side is anchored by a Stuart calling card: A motherload of girthy grumpy street-smart forwards. Lead by brute bookends in Joe Tapine and Josh Papali'i, this is a pack that has voraciously played like they'd crash through their own mother just to get a quick play-the-ball. And to be fair, we should've known in pre-season they were primed for a scrap when Morgan Smithies and Hudson Young were caught in a Vegas elevator brawling over an inflatable baseball bat. In basic terms, they're all competitive, cranky and a little bit crackers, ie an extension of their coach. And this is where Stuart's secret ingredient lies. For a bloke who'd hold a grudge against Gandhi, he has so much love for his players that the infamous 'weak gutted dog' sledge at Jaeman Salmon that shocked the footy fraternity in 2022 was actually conveyed by his players as a big warm cuddle, albeit one that cost $25,000. As such, many may consider Stuart's finest work to be in the nuts and bolts of coaching, but his proudest achievements arguably come in being a patch-protective father figure full of love and care, even if he shows it by kicking plastic chairs down the sideline.
