The Canberra Raiders have started to hit form and will be pushing for a spot in the top four when they host a Manly Sea Eeagles outfit trying to stop a two-game slide. Join The Roar for live scores> and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
The Raiders were looking down the barrel of an awful start to the season, but they have resurrected things with three straight victories.
While they are yet to hit top form, the wins have seen a side on the improve with every passing week and they undoubtedly played their best all-around game at home against the New Zealand Warriors last Saturday.
After victories over the Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans where the scoreboard was more convincing than the performance, their defence was put to the test last week and came up with a solid effort.
The Warriors threw plenty at them, particularly in the game’s early going, but they only let in two tries before skipping away in the second half, their right-side attack featuring Joseph Leilua and and Jordan Rapana running rampant.
Given Manly’s defensive effort over the last fortnight, leaking 65 points across the two games, it could be another dominant showing for the green machine.
The Raiders come into this contest unchanged.
Manly, as mentioned have struggled defensively over the last fortnight. After a start to the season that surprised many, pitting them as a side who were the real deal, they have been brought crashing back to Earth with two straight losses by heavy margins.
First it was 35-10 to the St George Illawarra Dragons, then 30-24 to the Melbourne Storm with both at home. Even though they are currently the two top sides, the Sea Eagles needed to pinch at least one win there.
Maybe the biggest difference maker for Manly ahead of this clash is the strength returning to the forward pack. Martin Taupau is back, which pushes Addin Fonua Blake back to the bench, while Nate Myles has also been named on the reserves and is an outside chance of playing.
It’s not that Manly have been soft in the forwards during their losing streak, but Taupau adds plenty to their engine room.
Despite now sitting ninth on the ladder with three victories from their seven games, there are still positives flowing. Their attack looked solid last week and Daly Cherry-Evans is in form like we haven’t seen for a few years.
If he can continue that and Manly’s defence can get back to where it started the season, there’s no reason they can’t start to push back up the ladder in the coming weeks.
Prediction
The Raiders are tough to beat at home and while Manly need a confidence-restoring win, they are going to have to wait at least another week for it.
Raiders by 10.
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madmax
Guest
Yeah & AFB's try was a try...........the tip of the ball touched the line!!! Just like the Paulo try....the tip of the ball touched a blade of grass!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Walker?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Once again Raiders fail to pull out with the win when scoring less than 20 points. Soon as Croker missed that shot at goal I knew some shenanigans were in store for me.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Paul
Guest
What strip, Walker played for the penalty, refs conned(??) again. Maybe next week I'll back the underdogs.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Still reckon both halves had unimpeded chances to score field goals but declined to have a shot. To be fair Sezer threw the ball out wide and if Croker doesn't slip they score. Croker also could have thrown the ball out to an unmarked Cotric who could have scored. Lots of could haves. And if Walker had converted one of those easy relatively conversions Manly win. Good tight game that could have gone either way. Manly deserve a lot of credit. The try that was set up for Tom Turbo was a beauty. And the Raiders were pretty good in defence for much of the game. Really both sides could have won and neither deserved to lose. Just goes to show that any game of NRL is hard to win and you need to be on your game for the full 80 minutes plus extra time.
Swannies
Guest
Not good enough to go all the way this year. 4-4 not quite the start they were looking for.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Cracking night, so glad i made the trek to Bruce. Canberra crowd awesome, Viking Clap chilling. Cardiac Walker must see theatre. The best part about following sometimes sides is, the wins are absolute gold. Can someone tell me, did Walker punch a Raider after missing his final shot in regulation?
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
I agree, but it's hard to kick field goals when the refs don't police offside defenders!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yep very true TB, I have seen Darwins work before. It makes perfect sense. You can have all the talent in the world. But if you don't trust the guy on the inside with your life, you're beaten before you get out on the field. It's why team bonding is huge in all walks of life. Most of it is contrived. But sometimes you see a side that truly all get along. And I think we are seeing that with Manly. Full credit to Barrett for that.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
How was the strip call harsh? They were both on the ground, tackle completed. There was plenty of niggle throughout. Walker missed a couple of kicks from close range and the Raiders certainly let him know about it. A lot of lip from both teams. The refs should have stepped in at the end to ensure the Raiders were back 10m and weren't encroaching. It was a bad look for the NRL.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Some really dumb penalties given away by the Raiders in the first 5 minutes of extra time - and until they learn how to close out tight games with someone who can kick a field goal they are no chance of picking up the trophy at the end of the season. Both Sezer and Austin had chances to kick field goals well within range and under little pressure but for some strange reason decided to pass the ball. Not good enough.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Carbon copy of last week, except this time the opposition were *slightly* less inept. They didn't want to win either, we had to force them.
The Barry
Roar Guru
NRL 360 showed an extract from a Ben Darwin talk. The premise was that a teams potential was a factor of ability x cohesion. Team unity was a much greater factor than coaching and facilities. Apparently based on a lot of research. Manly are showing how important cohesion is. I say this with utmost respect but when you look at their roster they are punching above their weight.
Saus
Guest
Didn't see the whole match just the end, what did raiders do that there is comments about their attitude. I thought the strip call was harsh and then Walker acts like an absolute flog. Hope is no where near the blues this year
The spectator
Guest
Yeah paulo No Try was a try, it clearly brushes grass.
Swannies
Guest
Raiders not the complete package yet...still lacking composure at critical moments that they need to iron out of their game. Probably got caught up in all the pre-match hype about being a real contender... tonight answered that.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
How important was that Bunker call "No Try" to the Raiders!!!
The spectator
Guest
How good is the mongrel, Manly !
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'm in a fair bit of shock. Manly keep surprising me. They're still a little young mentally meaning they'll struggle to string consistent games together. But you can see they are a tight unit. Well done to both teams for a great spectacle. Edge of the seat stuff!