Raiders fans played huge role in victory over Storm

[Archie]

Fans give Raiders power to please

Never underestimate the value of a home-town crowd.

Canberra were tremendous in their final-minute victory over Melbourne. They certainly played some outstanding football. But you had to be at the venue on Sunday to fully comprehend the role that their fans played in this victory.

The roar of the crowd inspired these young men to new heights. Up against the might of this champion Melbourne outfit and playing from behind for most of the contest, you could have excused the Canberra players for feeling as though the challenge might be beyond them.

However, the longer the match went you could feel the belief in the crowd rising and the players responded to their calling. Trailing by 10 points shortly after half-time, the home side were forced to defend their own goal line for what seemed like an age as the Melbourne machine pounded away at the defence.

There were some heroic defensive plays by a number of Canberra individuals that managed to keep turning the Storm away. The visitors looked certain to score on a number of occasions, but some desperate Canberra defence denied them time and time again.

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