'One of the worst': Devastating impact of Raider's horror NRL hit

Canberra Raiders back rower Corey Harawira-Naera could potentially be sidelined for the rest of the season after a terrible tackle on Melbourne Storm's Jahrome Hughes.

According to Storm coach Craig Bellamy, Hughes was left with no memory of the 26-16 victory over the Raiders after the high shot from Harawira-Naera.

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Both players appeared to be injured after Harawira-Naera inadvertently collected Hughes' head with his shoulder, with the former making no arguments after being sent from the field by the referee.

On commentary for Fox League, former Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk described it as 'one of the worst we've seen'.

Cronk tipped Harawira-Naera was going to cop a substantial penalty for the sloppy attempt.

“I know he’s trying to change momentum for his team, but he has clearly got that wrong. He is going to spend a long, long time on the sidelines I’m guessing.”

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart went in to bat for his player after the match, saying he deserved to be sent off but adding that it had not been a deliberate attempt to injure Hughes.

“If he has hit him in the head, yes, but it is not in Corey’s makeup to hurt someone like that,” Stuart said.

“It is a collision game and he has come in fast.”

Bellamy was concerned for Hughes' welfare after the game, saying he couldn't remember anything from the game, such was the force of the hit.

“He’s not well. He can’t remember anything about the game,” Bellamy said.

If Harawira-Naera can't play out the season, the Raiders could be forced to recall one of Corey Horsburgh or Ryan James, who have been loaned to Canterbury on a week-by-week basis.

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The Storm led 20-4, but Bailey Simonsson's second and third tries drew them within four points before the Raiders blew chances of an upset with a series of unforced errors in the final 20 minutes.

The loss left the Raiders teetering on the edge of the top eight with three rounds to play, while it was an 18th straight win for the Storm.

Raiders teammate Josh Papalii copped a three-game suspension for a high shot that saw him sent off earlier this season.

"He's going to be in a lot of strife, Corey," Thurston told Channel Nine post game.

"It's a tackle that has certainly gone wrong. I don't know if he'll see out the end of the year.

"He's going to be in for a long stint on the sideline; it's gone horribly wrong, I don't know how you're going to defend that."

Stuart hinted at least one Horsburgh or James could be back in lime green next week though and lamented the three tries in 17 minutes, after the Raiders had opened the scoring, for their demise.

"They went through some really poor defence ... it was really disappointing and then some end of sets and basic fundamentals in the second half we didn't finish off (hurt too)," he said.

"The way they came back was wonderful; they're a very determined, committed football team but when you crucify yourself ... it makes it too hard."

Raiders centre Jarrod Croker was also rubbed out after a head knock late in the first half, while Melbourne's Dale Finucane didn't return after he too suffered a head knock in the opening minutes.

With AAP

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