An impressive Melbourne Storm may have ended Canberra's finals hopes with a 36-18 win in the National Rugby League match at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
In a crucial must-win match for both clubs, the Storm scored seven tries to the Raiders' three in an exciting game played in chilly conditions.
The win consolidated the Storm's top eight place and left the Raiders, who have now lost four of their past five matches, needing to win all of their remaining matches to ensure a finals berth.
The Raiders had a spectacular start, scoring a try, bombing a second and earning three penalties within the first four minutes.
But the Storm found their rhythm midway through the first half and began to break the Raiders' line with ease, aided by a series of mistakes by Canberra.
"We dropped the ball and in similar situations, Melbourne held on," Raiders halfback Mark McLinden said.
Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Steven Bell, Ben MacDougall, Matt King, Jeremy Smith and Matt Orford scored for the Storm, with Orford kicking four from seven.
For the Raiders, Clinton Schifcofske, Jason Bulgarelli and Jason
Croker scored tries, with Schifcofske kicking three goals.
