Raiders 20
The Green Monster is normally the nickname for the 11.3 metre high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to baseball's Boston Red Sox.
Canberra could consider themselves honorary holders of that title last night, grafting out a win over hosts Melbourne for their second win in 10 NRL
matches - they last won in round one.
The match was sealed with a pinpoint chip and chase try to wing Blake Ferguson - his eighth try in 10 games.
It was a credit to video referee Paul Simpkins that he gave him the benefit of the doubt after his heel went within a shoelace width of the sideline as he re-gathered.
There was nothing like the looming record of the Raiders' longest losing streak to motivate. Last week Canberra equalled their club record of eight losses (set between 1985 and 1986). This week, directed by skipper Alan Tongue out of dummy half, they forced their way back into the competition.
They remain last on the table on four points but it will be a considerable boost, given they lacked the services of five-eighth Terry Campese and props David Shillington and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs. It was just their second win over the Storm in nine attempts.
They had not beaten Melbourne at home in 11 years. The Storm remain second on the table with 14 points.
The first half set the scene for the Raiders' return to form with a completion rate of 89 per cent (17/19 sets) to the Storm's 72 (13/18).
They also forced the hosts to make 150 tackles to their 111. The second half showed they could further withstand the Storm's waves of aggressive attack, often instigated by the dangerous counter-attacking of Billy Slater.
Defence was a Raiders strength given they had leaked 41 tries until last night. It caused Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy to assume a particularly intense pose for much of the match, barking into his walkie-talkie as the Raiders continued to slip under the Storm's radar.
Canberra demonstrated precision from the start, stunning Melbourne with a try to Reece Robinson courtesy of Danny Galea's turn in the tackle. That fed Jarrod Croker who found space for his left wing.
Likewise a hard running Josh McCrone went over after prop Dane Tilse released the ball back to former Melbourne player Brett White who got it to New South Wales Origin fullback hopeful Josh Dugan to deliver the pass.
Tongue was unlucky not to score twice late in the first half. He feathered the ball forward after Adam Blair knocked it from his hand a metre from the line and was held up by Billy Slater's legs and Gareth Widdop's hands moments later as he made another dart.
There were other memorable moments for the Raiders' defence. An intercept by Dane Chisholm saw Dugan track him down while White's desperate lunge stopped former teammate Adam Blair less than half a metre short in the 21st minute. Lock Shaun Fensom backed that up, taking down prop Bryan Norrie as the Storm surged back late in the first half.
Storm 12 (M. Duffie, R. Hinchcliffe tries, C. Smith 2 goals), Raiders 20 (R. Robinson, J. McCrone, B. Ferguson tries, J. Croker 4 goals) Halftime: Canberra 12-6.
