The Raiders already had a colossal task on their hands when they travelled north to face the Knights and their challenge became even harder when a thumping hit-up rubbed a youngster from the game early.
Three minutes into the elimination final at McDonald Jones Stadium, hulking Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti burst onto the footy, tucked it under his right arm and cannoned into Canberra lock Hohepa Puru.
Featuring in just his second NRL game, Puru bent low to tackle Saifiti and was rocked by the NSW State of Origin front-rower, suffering a head knock and hitting the ground with a thud.