League legend Braith Anasta believes the Raiders’ lack of ability to safe an extra-time victory towards the Knights highlights their want for “big-name” signings within the low season.
Ricky Stuart’s halfback Jamal Fogarty had a number of makes an attempt at a discipline purpose, desperately making an attempt to take a one-point lead because the scores sat at 28-28 at full time.
Newcastle had been awarded a vital penalty and Kalyn Ponga kicked it to take a lead within the 88th minute, confirming Adam O’Brien’s aspect would proceed to the second week of finals.
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Stuart’s halves pairing of Fogarty and Matt Frawley had been unable to get the job finished when their aspect wanted them most in keeping with Anasta.
With Jack Wighton additionally departing for the Rabbitohs and Frawley signing with Leeds Rhinos within the Super League, it’s time for Stuart to recruit a participant who can “ice the big moments”.
“Canberra were outstanding, they were huge underdogs and no one gave them a chance,” Anasta stated on NRL360 on Monday.
“They should have won the game in my opinion, to me it highlighted their lack of depth in the halves and not icing the big moments.
“You could see that when it got to extra time. I wasn’t confident, and this may be a bit harsh, but because of the halves they do have.
“Fogarty in particular, I was worried. I thought who is going to take the field goal here? Who is going to grab this match and really get Canberra over the line?
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“You can see there he had plenty of time, this was another one, he should have gone for the field goal instead he kicked it to the right-hand side.
“Then he took two more and missed, this is a big one. It’s inexcusable for a half, in a moment like this off a scrum, when you have got 20 metres to work with.
“I was nervous heading into extra time, Canberra definitely need to purchase some big-name players.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield highlighted that Fogarty isn’t within the “elite bracket of top halfbacks”.
But for Anasta, the Raiders’ finals conflict was his probability to stamp his mark on the competitors and doubtlessly earn a contract improve, coming off-contract on the finish of the 2024 season.
It has beforehand been reported Fogarty will check the open market when he turns into a free agent on November 1, doubtlessly seeing him depart the nation’s capital.
However, Canberra powerbrokers reportedly wish to prolong him for an extra yr to the top of the 2025 season in keeping with News Corp.
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“He’s not on Cleary’s salary, Adam Reynolds’ salary or Daly Cherry-Evans’ salary, that’s what I am saying,” Rothfield stated.
“This was his chance to put his hand up and move in to that, not elite, but take that step,” Anasta stated.
“It was unfortunate for him. I remember watching him earlier in the year against the Dolphins in Wagga, he ended up kicking the winning field goal.
“But he didn’t want to take the shot, and when the finals come, I don’t want to be harsh, but he was a bit gun-shy.
“You could see in his eyes in this game that same feeling, and I feel for him.”
“It’s not about money, it’s about the job you have to do for your team. If you’re a forward, you take it off the kick-off, if you’re a half, you ice that moment,” Gorden Tallis added.
“I’m surprised… you see Tedesco charge the ball down. Take an extra 10 metres? They kick 40-metre field goals these days.
“When they drop out they can get it over halfway.”
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