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The Canberra Raiders have endured a late Sea Eagles fightback to earn a 12-point victory in the nation’s capital.
It didn’t start off well for the home side after Josh Hodgson kicked out on the full on their first drive with two penalties following suit.
Manly opened the scoring with Daly Cherry-Evans showing some nice footwork to make his way through the line.
The Raiders had their say just five minutes later however as Jack Wighton stabbed a kick in for Brenko Lee. The try was denied at the bunker with Lee knocking on.
He got another sniff of the ball only three minutes later this time managing to hold onto the ball and make his way over the line after Jack Wighton helped him to the line.
The next scoring opportunity didn’t come until the 32nd minute when a gut-busting effort from Siosaia Vave almost saw Tom Trbojevic storm over only for the winger to be bundled into touch.
Josh Hodgson extended the Raiders’ lead just before the break off a Joseph Leilua offload which saw the England international fool the Sea Eagles’ defensive line and score to put Canberra in front 12-6 at half-time.
The second half started on a sour note for Manly with Daly Cherry-Evans sidelined with a syndesmosis injury.
It only worsened with Elliott Whitehead galloping over after Joseph Leilua offloaded to Josh Papalii to help the Englishman over the line in the 44th minute.
Jack Wighton then leaped high in the air to scored off an Aidan Sezer kick only five minutes later before setting up Papalii on the shortside in the 53rd minute.
With Jamie Lyon and Brenton Lawrence joining Cherry-Evans on the sideline, Trent Barrett had very few troops at his disposal.
Manly took a massive hit after Jamie Buhrer was steamrolled by Canberra’s latest addition Junior Paulo who demolished Buhrer from the kick-off sending the former State of Origin representative into the sheds.
It was relatively quiet from then on with Matt Parcell making the most of a tired Canberra line to dart through and score.
It sparked a revival from Manly with Apisai Koroisau putting on a one-man show to go over three minutes later.
Tom Trbojevic nearly went over as the Silvertails hunted for two late tries but it wasn’t enough in the end with Canberra storming home to hold on 30-18.
Jack Wighton was easily the best player on the field while Joseph Leilua, Jordan Rapana and Josh Hodgson continued to flex their muscles.
Jake Trbojevic led the way for Manly with his younger brother Tom also impressive as was bench forward Siosaia Vave who stepped up for the maroon and white.
The doctors on the northern beaches will now have their work cut out for them as the Sea Eagles prepare to take on the Panthers at Brookvale on Sunday week.
The Raiders will face off against the Broncos in Brisbane next Thursday night in what will be a battle for a place inside the top four as the green machine move into fifth position just one point behind the Broncos and Cowboys.
Final score:
Canberra Raiders 30
Manly Sea Eagles 18
The Canberra Raiders are hunting three wins in a row when they host the Manly Sea Eagles. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Last week, the Green Machine came from behind to earn a win over the fifth-placed Canterbury Bulldogs in Canberra, Joseph Tapine and BJ Leilua leading the way.
Junior Paulo will make his Canberra debut, after arriving from the Eels on Sunday, while Brenko Lee has been named to replace cousin Edrick on the wing. Josh Papalii returns from injury at the expense of Shaun Fensom.
The Raiders need to utilise their monstrous forward pack effectively against the Sea Eagles’ light forward rotation.
Manly need to lift their game in the middle of the park, but it will all come down to halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who is yet to justify his hefty price tag this season.
Trent Barrett’s side will be boosted by the return of Steve Matai at centre, with Apisai Koroisau to come off the bench.
The two sides shared a win apiece in their encounters last year, with the Raiders coming out on top 29-16 in Round 5 at Albury, while the Sea Eagles won 26-24 in Canberra in Round 23.
In 23 meetings between the two clubs, the Raiders have won on ten occasions, with Manly victorious 13 times.
Prediction
Canberra will be far too strong and record yet another convincing win at home.
Raiders by 10.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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