Aug 7th, 2018

Aug 7th, 2018

Ricky Stuart's leaky Canberra Raiders are on track for an unenviable record as the first team to top the pointscoring list and still miss the finals.

Despite yet another horror fade-out against Penrith on Sunday, the Raiders managed to score 31 points, lifting their season tally to 489.

That has them clear of even NRL competition leaders South Sydney, who are second-best with 487 points scored.

Since a final-four system was permanently introduced for the 1926 season - previously there were years with only a final or no playoffs at all - every team with the best attacking record has made the finals.

Gold Coast-bound forward Shannon Boyd believes the capitulations are a result of trying too hard.

"We can score the points... we're just leaking way too many points at critical times," Boyd said.

"Whether we're putting too much pressure on ourselves and then force errors or mistakes by trying to do too much."

Several teams have come close to the unwanted record the Raiders are facing, including the 2010 Rabbitohs who finished with the second-best attack and missed the top eight.

The Raiders sit 10th on the NRL ladder with an 8-12 record after the heart-breaking loss to the Panthers slammed the door shut on any chance they had of making the finals.

After making the preliminary final in 2016, Canberra's last two seasons have been blighted by narrow losses and giving up by big leads.

The 40-31 loss to the Panthers was the fifth time this season they've led by 10 points or more and lost the match.

Since the start of 2017, the Raiders are 4-14 in games decided by six points or less.

Their defence is the major issue, having coughed up 474 points, more than every team except Newcastle (513), Manly (504) and Gold Coast (491)

And they still have to face a tough end to the season as they play the Wests Tigers along with top eight sides Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and the Warriors.

HIGHEST SCORING NRL TEAMS AFTER ROUND 21

1. Canberra (489)

2. South Sydney (487)

3. Melbourne (476)

4. St George Illawarra (471)

5. Sydney Roosters (460)

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