NRL: Raiders dispose of Eels

Josh Papalii of the Raiders slips past a tackle. Photo / Getty Images

Raiders 25
Eels 12

After an impressive first-half performance, Canberra led 14-0 at the break and achieved what they hadn't in recent matches, finishing off the job - despite the Eels threatening a comeback.

The Raiders' young halves ran the show, with Sam Williams scoring two tries and Josh McCrone capping a strong performance with a bizarre 73rd-minute field goal that deflected off Parramatta's Casey McGuire.

The win keeps Canberra second last ahead of Gold Coast, but they move within four points of the top eight.

The victory came at a cost, though, with prop David Shillington believed to have suffered a recurrence of a pectoral injury.

Shillington had been hoping to put in a good performance before the Queensland squad is named for the third Origin match.

After the video referee disallowed an early try in the corner to centre Joel Thompson, Williams opened the scoring as he stepped several times to score under the posts in the 20th minute.

Just five minutes later, McCrone ran 25 metres from a scrum to score a great individual try.

A penalty goal from Jarrod Croker in the 32nd minute extended the Raiders' lead and they went into the sheds with a comfortable lead.

Parramatta were starved of possession and looking lethargic but improved after the break.

Hooker Matt Keating took advantage of some sleepy defence to score under the posts and breathe life into the match but Canberra's rookie fullback Nathan Massey responded when he scored after another great run by McCrone.

The Eels were able to narrow the gap to six points when Ben Smith crashed over in the 65th minute.

But the closest thing to an own goal in rugby league allowed the Raiders to take control.

McCrone's wobbly drop kick cannoned off McGuire and snuck over the crossbar to give the home side a seven-point buffer.

Williams then sealed the result with some individual brilliance, charging down a Jarryd Hayne punt and kicking twice for himself to score.

Parramatta centre Ryan Morgan left the field in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return.

CANBERRA 25(S Williams 2 N Massey J McCrone tries J Croker 4 goals J McCrone field goal) bt PARRAMATTA 12 (M Keating B Smith tries L Burt 2 goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Jared Maxwell, Chris James. Crowd: 13,457.

- AAP