WESTERN Suburbs' Australian Rugby League premiership semi-final hopes were torn to shreds as Canberra mauled the Magpies 50-18 in a freezing national capital yesterday.
The Raiders ran in 10 tries to three to totally demoralise the Magpies on the eve of the finals.
With four rounds to play, the Magpies must now win all their games to be certain of securing a spot in the eight-team final series.
Despite the thrashing handed out in bitterly cold conditions in Canberra, Raiders coach Tim Sheens refuses to write off the Magpies as a top eight possibility.
'A lot of teams come down here and go home with their tails between their legs,' Sheens said. 'Wests were fairly competitive and came into the game with several injury problems.
'I think they can put this behind them and regroup to get back on track next week.' The Magpies were in the game throughout the first half but suffered a crushing blow in the 27th minute when front-rower Mark Afflick was dismissed for a head-high tackle.