The Raiders took a 12-6 lead into half time, and would have led by more if not for some terrible goalkicking by Clinton Schifcofske.

After Melbourne had a try disallowed by a controversial video referee decision two minutes into the second half, the Raiders closed out the game with tries to Darren Mapp and Michael Hodgson.

Melbourne – who also had to win to stay alive in NRL season 2002 – will now plan their future without valiant servants Richard Swain, Matt Rua, and Shane Walker.

Canberra made the perfect start after Storm fullback Robbie Ross knocked the ball on inside his own ten metres. From the following set of six the Raiders crossed through fullback Clinton Schifcofske for the game’s first try.

Schifcofske couldn’t convert his try against the vicious Canberra Stadium wind, but the Raiders led 4-0 after just four minutes and Melbourne hadn’t had their first set of six in possession.

Melbourne quickly clawed back into contention, the canny kicking play of halves Orford and Hill creating repeat opportunities at the Canberra tryline. In the eighth minute Storm winger Marcus Bai scored beside the uprights, the try converted by Orford to give Melbourne a 6-4 lead.

The Raiders forwards – a bright spot during their furious finals charge – were struggling manfully against the wind, and bustled forward enough to give Canberra chances close to the Melbourne line.

In the 22nd minute, an Alan Tongue break put Canberra close enough for Michael Monaghan to run at the ramshackle Storm defensive line and put winger Jamaal Lolesi over with ease. Schifcofske – captaining the Raiders with Simon Woolford off the field injured – hit the uprights with conversion attempt, limiting the home side’s lead to 8-6.

Melbourne, missing key members of their forward pack and carrying injured veteran Robbie Kearns, were struggling to deal with the Raiders roll forward despite having the heavy wind advantage.

Matters could have been worse for Melbourne at half time when winger Matt Geyer allowed Brett Finch to sneak on to a Monaghan grubber kick in the in goal, but video referee John Gocher ruled that the Canberra half was unable to get adequate downward pressure.

The Raiders could have led 20-6 at halftime but for Schifcofske's loss of radar – he missed a final minute penalty attempt from right in front - but led 12-6 with the wind at their backs after the break.

Melbourne looked to have hit back after halftime when Ian Sibbit grabbed a loose ball and crossed in the corner, but video referee Gocher controversially ruled that Sibbit raked the ball from Raiders winger Jamaal Lolesi.

In the 48th minute, Canberra interchange player Darren Mapp scored under the posts – his reward for a bellringing tackle on Ross on the previous set of six – that was converted by Schifcosfke to give the Raiders an emphatic 18-6 lead.

Melbourne came close to hitting back on the hour, but referee Bill Harrigan disallowed another four-pointer when Scott Hill threw a forward pass to centre Steve Bell. Soon after though, Bai crossed for his double to cut the Storm’s deficit to a converted try with Orford’s conversion.

Twelve minutes from fulltime Raiders second rower Michael Hodgson scored beside the posts to seal victory for Canberra, Schifcofske landing another conversion to make the score 24-12.

Monaghan added a field goal from 39 metres out, before Melbourne centre Aaron Moule crossed for his 17th try of the NRL season to make the final score 25-16 in favour of the Raiders.