Canberra produced the boilover of the NRLW season by dominating the previously unbeaten Brisbane 28-4, before Wests Tigers snatched victory from St George Illawarra in the last minute of their nailbiter.
It was cold and wet at GIO Stadium, but the Raiders brought the heat with the coup of the season, completely outplaying the visitors and scoring five tries to one.
Raiders end Broncos' streak
It was Brisbane's first loss of the year and snapped their 15-game unbeaten streak. Raiders' halfback Zahara Temara and fullback Sheridan Gallagher outperformed their more vaunted opposite numbers Jessie Southwell and Tamika Upton to orchestrate the heist.
Krystal Blackwell, with three try assists, and inspirational skipper Simaima Taufa were also brilliant. Charlotte Basham, with two, Elise Simpson, Isabella Waterman and Leianne Tufuga all crossed for four pointers.
There was a scary moment for the Broncos midway through the first half when hooker Jada Ferguson was helped off after suffering a head injury trying to tackle Raiders interchange forward Grace Kemp.
Injuries add to Broncos' woes
Ferguson did not return and will now miss next week's blockbuster with the Sydney Roosters, while star centre Julia Robinson is also in doubt after leaving the field with an ankle injury.
Tigers snatch last-gasp win
Meanwhile, Faythe Manera plunged over from dummy half to clutch a 16-12 victory for the Wests Tigers in the last set of the game against a gritty Dragons outfit at Jubilee Stadium. The last-gasp win continues the Tigers' march towards a first NRLW finals appearance, with their fourth win from six matches this season.
They currently sit fifth and are on track for their best finish of eighth since joining the competition in 2023.
The Dragons dominated the opening stages, with Jayme Millard touching down twice inside 20 minutes, but the Tigers responded with tries to Emily Bass and Losana Lutu in the five minutes before halftime to lead 10-8 at the break.
Second-half drama
It took 19 minutes for the first points of the second half, with a magnificent individual effort from Taliah Fuimaono helping the Dragons regain the lead before Manera stole the two-points.
Former Dragon Raecene McGregor continued her stellar 2026 form at her new club and the half's combination with Fijian international Lutu, along with a powerful display by front rower Sarah Togatuki, was a key feature of the joint venture side's performance. That trio and veteran Kezie Apps hold the key if Craig Sandercock's team are to make a sustained run into the new six-team finals format.
Prop Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis was immense, running for 169 metres, while Fuimaono and star fullback Teagan Berry were the best for the Dragons.
