Overview

• Kaeo Weekes finished a 90‑metre golden‑point try after Nathan Cleary’s field goal hit the upright, with Jed Stuart and Ethan Strange featuring in the length‑of‑the‑field move for a 20-16 Raiders win in Mudgee.
• Canberra sit clear on top with two rounds remaining and are described as in the box seat for the minor premiership after rallying from 16-6 down before extra time.
• The Raiders lost winger Xavier Savage to an AC joint injury, while Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo made his return from a shoulder issue via the bench.
• Melbourne beat Canterbury 20-14 to secure a top-two finish, with a late Bulldogs near-try overturned by the bunker for a knock-on under the re-grip interpretation.
• Canberra chartered a post-match flight from Mudgee to speed recovery in the run-in to finals, as a 9,925 crowd watched the regional epic that also dented Penrith’s ladder position.