A DESPERATE tackle in the final moments denied the Illawarra Steelers back-to-back SG Ball premierships on Saturday.
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Trailing 18-14, the Steelers' player of the series Junior Amone surged forward from a scrum and threatened to break clear.
But he was stopped by Canberra's Connor Williams in the final seconds, as the Raiders held on at Leichhardt Oval.
The Steelers had won the SG Ball title in 2019 before COVID-19 restrictions led to last year's competition being cancelled.
Raiders coach Ashley Barnes paid tribute to Raiders and former Dragons official Peter Mulholland, who's in hospital following chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in his ongoing battle against blood cancer.
"The boys really put in a good effort for Pete," Barnes said.
"We wish he could've been here, but he's someone who's put a lot of time and effort into these young men and he can take a lot of credit for the result."
The Raiders opened the match's scoring in the 11th minute Caleb Esera before the Steelers responded seven minutes later through Brandon Morkos.
Another try each before half-time from Sione Moala (Raiders) and Josh Coric (Steelers) saw Canberra hold a two-point (12-10) lead at the break.
The Green Machine's lead was extended when Jack Sandford crossed in the 52nd minute - before Mitchell Spencer landed his third conversions of the afternoon.
Chasing the game, the Steelers, headlined by Group Seven talents Coric, Ben Lavender (both Albion Park-Oak Flats), Trey Barlow (Stingrays), Cooper Roberts (Gerringong), Riley Wooden (Milton-Ulladulla), Tyrone Roberts (Warilla-Lake South) and Travis Barrett-Hancock (Kiama), reduced the margin to four when Alexander Lobb scored in the 65th minute but the winger failed to add the extras, leaving Glenn Buffolin's side four points adrift.
Despite the scarlett and whites' best efforts, they couldn't hit the front - handing the Raiders the 2021 premiership.
Meanwhile, St George defeated the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy 30-4 in the Tarsha Gale Cup final, with Manly-Warringah claiming the Harold Matthews title against Parramatta 24-12.