Raiders 53 Bulldogs 34

IN THE end, Canberra won by the 17 points or more they needed to finish sixth instead of seventh and dramatically improve their chances of surviving into the second week of the finals series.

But the fact their attack had to come up with more than 50 points to make it happen rang alarm bells when it came to the other side of the game - defence.

"We know we've got points in us, but we're going to have to defend a lot better in the finals," coach Neil Henry said. "We leaked a few tries today. They exposed us a few times, and we're going to need to improve in that area next week."

Come seventh or eighth and lose in the first week of the finals and you are automatically eliminated. Come sixth and lose, and you will survive as long as both the seventh- and eighth-placed teams lose. It is no guarantee of getting past week one, but finishing sixth at least creates breathing space. Still, the Raiders can't rest easy, or they will be on the way to losing because they won't have come up with the necessary intensity.

"What we've got to make sure we do is get into the game straight from the start," Henry said.

It is going to be a tough week at training for the Raiders, as Henry drills them hard for finals football, but the players expect that. They are looking forward to it, because this is why they play all year. And centre Joel Monaghan, one of the two players who scored three tries for Canberra yesterday, reckons it is anyone's premiership.

"I think everyone in the top eight is dangerous," Monaghan said. "The last few weeks, there have been a few upsets that make you think you've got to be a chance. Newcastle beat Melbourne, Souths beat Manly … I know it's an old cliche, but the finals is a whole new competition and I think it's all a bit more even at this stage than it was last year. The top teams in the eight have lost a few more games this year and the bottom teams have won a few more, so it's a lot closer.

"The teams that are used to playing finals footy are going to know a bit more about it, so they might have a bit of an advantage there. What we've got to do, to make sure we don't get left behind, is back ourselves. That's how we have made it this far. But, first, we've got to get our defence right. I'm sure that's what the main emphasis will be on at training this week. We've got to tighten up, and we'll work hard to do that."

The other player to bag three tries, fullback David Milne, is the perfect example of what Canberra are all about this season. They have made the finals despite a horrendous injury toll, which led to a number of players, such as Milne, being forced to play out of position. The winger was switched to fullback, and that's where he wants to stay.

"I'm loving it," Milne said. "That's the first time I've scored three tries in first grade. I hope I can just keep improving and hold on to the spot. I've been working on my support play a lot, and I think that showed today."

The first time the Raiders got far enough in front was 11 minutes into the second half, when they led 34-16. But then the Bulldogs reduced the deficit to 12 points, down 34-22. The Raiders got out to 40-22, but, again, the Bulldogs came back, making it 40-28.

The Raiders looked safe after scoring the next two tries, to lead 52-28, but after Tim Winitana's try and the surprise sideline conversion from hooker Corey Hughes, they had to endure a nervous final 95 seconds.

It was coach Steve Folkes's last game with the wooden-spoon Bulldogs. Captain Andrew Ryan said it all: "I want to forget about footy and get away, find a hole somewhere."

CANBERRA 52 (D Milne 3 J Monaghan 3 T Campese N Costigan R Hinchcliffe tries T Campese 8 goals) bt BULLDOGS 34 (H Nanai 2 H El Masri D Holdsworth C Hughes J Idris T Winitana tries H El Masri 2 C Hughes goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: S Hampstead. Crowd:  15,411.