Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final Wrap: Blues Claim Title at Home in Unbelievable Scenes

Mikayla Kerin

It was absolute scenes at Seffiert Oval last Sunday as we set our sights on a five-match grand final day. But as the time rolled closer to 3:30, the sea of red, black, light blue and many more colours turned into only two – maroon and white and blue and white for the match of the day, the Queanbeyan derby, Blues and Roos.

The Roos were looking for a 3-peat for the first time in the Canberra Raiders Cup First Grade Division since it was established in 1998, while the Blues were looking for redemption from last year’s loss. Both teams came out of the sheds firing both in attack and defence, but it was Blues captain and halfback Dylan McLachlan who scored the first points in only the fourth minute, leading the scoreboard six points to nil.

The Roos used this as motivation to push defensively for the first half, leaving the Blues one try in despite many attacking chances. The Blues had an opportunity downfield through their five-eighth, Connor Williams, who assisted their young gun Jack Anderson to score with a brilliant pass, keeping the Roos scoreless 12 - 0.

The Roos grab their first opportunity for points and attack brilliantly to push through the Blues' defensive line to make the scoreline twelve points to six. The Blues' defensive line kept finding gaps throughout the rest of the first half, but remained hopeful, being down two points, fourteen to twelve, going into the sheds.

As we enter the second half, Roos Captain and Coach Sam Williams executed a 40/20 kick in the opening set, which blew the Roos' attack wide open. Thanks to this, Roos’ winger Lucas Thomson scored in the first five minutes of the second half, making the score twenty points to twelve.

With the Blues trailing, they broke the Roos’ defensive line towards the middle of the half, thanks to Dylan McLachlan once again with a try assist, but it was their winger, Uasi Leota, who scored from the air. Everyone thought the Blues were done, considering the scoreline was separated by eight points, twenty-six to eighteen, with only eleven minutes remaining.

But it was the winger/captain combo once again, Mclachlan and Leota, to close the gap a little bit, twenty-six to twenty-two, with only five minutes to go. It was stressful scenes, Blues’ fans remaining hopeful, but Roos’ fans anxious as well as confident they had the game in the bag. But, Mclachlan pulled out all the stops during the final minutes and ended up scoring himself under the post in the dying minutes, bringing the final score to 28 - 26.

It was an unbelievable game, and honestly an upset as Roos were the running favourites, but a massive congratulations to the Blues for the win! Plus Dylan Mclachlan winning the Bradley Clyde Medal and Man of the Match. 

Bring on the 2026 season!