A SPECTACULAR try to second-rower Jarrad Kennedy seven minutes into golden-point extra time gave Canberra and former Lavington Panther Todd Rheinberger a thrilling 28-24 victory over Brisbane in yesterday’s under-20 rugby league grand final.

Kennedy was mobbed by jubilant Raiders teammates after collapsing over the line in exhaustion after willing himself to back up centre Jarrod Croker, who had collected a crossfield kick from halfback Matt Smith as the clock wound down.

“I couldn’t even see in front of me. All the boys jumped on me, both my knees were cramping up. It was the most pain I’d had the whole game,” Kennedy said.

“I’m just ecstatic. Thirty weeks of training and hard work and it’s always all about this game.”

Croker had appeared offside but, with no video replays available, the Junior Broncos had to lump the shattering defeat having performed their own escape act last week against the New Zealand Warriors to qualify for the Toyota Cup decider.

Rheinberger said he was pumping with adrenaline in the finals stages.

“It was very nerve-racking and a bit crazy,” he said.

“Winning it though was unbelievable — it feels unreal.”

Victory completed a dream campaign for the Raiders, who also won the minor premiership.

While the Raiders had stars across the park, Josh Dugan was awarded the Jack Gibson Medal for man of the match after contributing 12 points.