A blackout in the south-western corner of the newly-named UOW Jubilee Oval wasn't the only lowlight for the Raiders after they were beaten 16-12 in golden point by the Dragons thanks to a Euan Aitken intercept try.
Report: Intercept hands Dragons golden win
What was Jack Wighton thinking?
It's safe to say this will be one game Wighton will look to erase from the memory bank quick smart.
Wighton made six errors in the Raiders' four-point loss with his last slip up proving the most telling in the end result.
Aitken's match-winning intercept try came from the hands of Wighton, who for some reason attempt to pass out to Edrick Lee despite the half-time golden point siren sounding in the background.
"He was disappointed," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said of his fullback's brain explosion.
"When you touch the ball so many times you're going to be prone to errors. We're all supportive of Jack though and it's just disappointing. Those things happen."
Dragons make best out of dark situation
The failure of a nearby substation cost three blocks of residential buildings their power and the Kogarah faithful a good view of the south-western corner but they surely won't be complaining.
The Red V's last-start loss to the Warriors was one of their more disappointing efforts in recent seasons – considering the cattle the men across the ditch were missing – and it was obviously something the Dragons were looking to make amends for.
The Dragons' steelier performance was a throwback to last year's defensive powerhouse form. It was timely too since they look likely to consolidate a place in the top eight for the first time in 2016.
"We thought as a group we could've done better in New Zealand. They had a lot of players out and we didn't get the result so it was really important for us to show plenty of good effort," Dragons coach Paul McGregor said.
"If your effort is there then you don't worry about the result because it will follow. I thought our effort was there for sure. These things are good moments you can look back on and build your year on. With a five-and-five split and all of our travel behind us, we're headed in the right direction."
Raiders their own worst enemies
How the Raiders even made it to extra time on the back of 15 errors and multiple bombed opportunities in good territory is a head-scratcher.
The Raiders were their own worst enemy, particularly in the first half, and were lucky not to be further punished by a points-deficient Dragons outfit.
Canberra threw away at least four good opportunities in solid field territory in the first 40 including Joey Leilua and Josh Hodgson's likely try-scoring efforts.
And to think they pegged back an 8-0 deficit after 55 minutes to send the game into extra time.
Austin's bloody nose doesn't warrant penalty
Dragon Joel Thompson's high shot on Blake Austin in the 34th minute was one of the biggest talking points out of the game.
Thompson – who was returning from a one-game suspension – caught Austin flush in the face and broke his nose in the incident, yet it went unpenalised by referee Ashley Klein.
Stuart revealed post-game that at a recent coaches meeting it was recommended the bunker didn't intervene on foul play. While he agreed with the sentiment, he wasn't aware it had come into effect already.
"I don't know if that's the rule now but we spoke about it at the coaches meeting that the bunker shouldn't be allowed to rule on foul play like that," Stuart said.
"There's no question [Thompson will] go next week, he'll get charged for it because he broke his nose – but I think [the initial on-field decisions standing] will stop players from diving.
"I agree the bunker shouldn't adjudicate on foul play but I don't know if it's in now or not. I haven't had a memo about it."
Record-breaking night for Raiders skipper
Jarrod Croker at just 25 years old became the Canberra's all-time leading point scorer against the Dragons, a remarkable effort that sees David Furner's 16-year record surpassed.
Croker's one-try, two-goal haul saw him reach 1224 points and go two clear of Furner as he continues his steady rise up the competition's all-time pointscorer's list.
"It's something I'll probably look back on in a couple of years' time to tell you the truth," a downcast Croker said.
"I'd take plenty of those points back if it meant we had a couple more of those close wins especially over past two games."
