Jul 9th, 2018

Jul 9th, 2018

Rugby league legend Peter Sterling has unleashed both barrels on Raiders match winner Joey Leilua for taunting Brett and Josh Morris after scoring the deciding try in Canberra's extraordinary come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports for his weekly segment 'Sterlo's Wrap', Sterling picked apart Leilua's rollercoaster performance and was scathing of his contribution up until the winning try, blasting his "selfish" attitude and poor discipline that could easily have cost his side.

But it was the post-try spray he gave the Morris brothers that raised Sterling's hackles the most.

"This is Josh and Brett Morris, who have done everything in the game and achieved a whole lot more than BJ looks like he will," Sterling said.

"You don't disrespect those kinds of players in those situations where you've been poor yourself up until that moment."

WATCH THE FULL SPRAY IN 'STERLO'S WRAP' IN THE PLAYER AT THE TOP!

Despite boasting a talented roster, the Raiders sit six points outside the top eight and are running out of time to mount a charge into the playoffs.

Leilua scores game-winning try

It's a story that could be a whole lot different if not for a string of devastating late losses and Sterling said Leilua's poor decision making at significant times against the Bulldogs was symbolic of another disappointing season for Ricky Stuart's men.

"BJ Leilua, I said on the Sunday Footy Show, the most frustrating player, the most frustrating person in the NRL, to coach," Sterling said.

"14-all, the game is there to be won or lost. Now he goes close to scoring (in the 58th minute), tries to milk a penalty - just get up and play it, it wasn't the last tackle.

"Now on his way back he gives the ref a serve, so they get marched and (the Bulldogs) get a kick for touch. And from that the Bulldogs score.

"Now this is a situation the Raiders have been in plenty of times before. Next time they get up (into an attacking position), mid tackle count, the little flick out the side - it's a selfish play.

"Now he went from villain to hero very quickly but the reason the Raiders have lost so many close games is because of that kind of ill discipline."