Valentine Holmes scores hat-trick for the Cowboys days after signing with the Dragons
Valentine Holmes has reminded the NRL how good he can be, scoring a hat-trick for the Cowboys only days after signing with the Dragons.
Holmes was the star for his side, as demolished the Raiders 42-4.
After copping heavy criticism for his match against the Broncos last week when he was dominated by Kotoni Staggs, the centre produced his best performance of the season.
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Valentine Holmes scores a try against the Raiders in round 24. NRL Images
"Val Holmes is still a great player, and I think the signing for the Dragons is a good one ... there's still plenty of life left in him," league great Greg Alexander said after Holmes' second try.
The Cowboys started the game on fire with recalled half Jake Clifford scoring in the fourth minute.
Holmes was then over moments later to make it a 12-0 lead.
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Seb Kris' try in the 29th minute would be Canberra's only four-pointer of the match, with Kyle Feldt and Tom Dearden making it 24-4 at the break with their own tries.
After half time, the Cowboys went on a rampage.
Holmes ran in for a hat-trick while Feldt scored his second to seal a 42-4 victory.
Post-game, Holmes admitted it was one of his best games of the season.
"Yeah probably this year, I haven't been that great," he told Fox League.
"Obviously after the past couple of weeks with what's been happening it's good to get out here and give this crowd a win they deserve."
The loss for the Raiders could come at a cost after Raiders prop Josh Papalii was put on report in the first half.
Josh Papalii was put on report for dropping his knees onto Valentine Holmes. FOX Sports
Papalii appeared to drop his knee into the face of Valentine Holmes while the centre was on the ground, with referee Todd Smith putting him on report in the 25th minute.
"That'll stop him getting up," league great Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
Emre Guler was also put on report for a dangerous tackle late in the match.
