Shattered Stuart lost for words after loss

Jun 10, 2017 - 5:31 PM Canberra's premiership hopes have hit a critical crossroad after a late-collapse against Penrith on Saturday consigned the Raiders to back-to-back NRL defeats.

Ricky Stuart's men threw away a prime opportunity to move into the top eight when they conceded two tries in the final three minutes to dramatically fall 24-20 in Bathurst.

A shattered Stuart was in no mood to discuss the defeat, simply saying that the match was there to be won for his team.

Asked whether he could pin the loss on a single factor, he said: "Nope.

"I don't think either side gave in until the end. It was just they came back with some good football and got us."

Pressed on what he said to his side post-game, he said: "Not a lot, mate."

Pressed further on where to now for a team that have now lost five of their past seven games, Stuart said: "Jump on a bus and go home, that's what we do."

The defeat leaves the Raiders just two points behind the now eighth-placed Panthers, however questions remain on whether Stuart's outfit can find another level in 2017.

Canberra head into next week's bye with plenty of soul-searching ahead of a month-long stand at home that could define the rest of their campaign.

The four matches are against heavyweights Brisbane, North Queensland, St George Illawarra and Melbourne, however Stuart is adamant their season isn't slipping away.

"We'll bounce back. There's no lack of effort, there never is. All year the effort's been there, we've just got to be better," he said.

"It was there to be won. With four minutes to go and 10 points up, it was there to be won."

Source: AAP