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Will the Manly Sea Eagles continue to put the ‘Fortress’ back in Brookvale on Saturday night? Or will Ricky’s Raiders respond to their critics and claim their first win of the year? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEDT.
Manly’s loss to the Rabbitohs last weekend demonstrated the unpredictability of this year’s competition. The Sea Eagles entered that clash on the back of a dominant 54-0 thumping of Parramatta and were expected to easily account for a South Sydney outfit who was yet to win a game.
However, Manly were out-enthused as they slumped to a disappointing 34-6 loss. Trent Barrett’s men missed 45 tackles and made 13 errors – a stark contrast to the 14 missed tackles and 6 mistakes recorded in their victory over Parramatta. In team news, barnstorming winger Jorge Tafua has been ruled out for eight weeks with a broken collarbone. Matthew Wright takes his spot on the left flank.
While the Sea Eagles may be desperate for the two points on Saturday night, there is arguably no team under greater pressure heading into Round Four than the Canberra Raiders.
The Green Machine are yet to lose by more than two points in 2018 and all their three losses to start the year have come within the final minutes of play.
Last week’s capitulation against the Warriors was perhaps the worst of the lot. Stuart’s side were leading 19-12 with just three minutes on the clock before a scooting Isaac Luke caught out the Raiders defence, highlighting the lack of concentration that has cost Canberra dearly in recent weeks.
However, allowing the Warriors to march up field with little resistance for two consecutive sets was even more unacceptable as Shaun Johnson booted back-to-back field goals to snatch victory for his team.
Blake Austin was the unfortunate victim of Stuart’s frustrations with the utility dropped to the Intrust Super Cup. Former Warrior Ata Hingano takes Austin’s spot on the bench.
Austin may however still play on Saturday with five-eighth Aidan Sezer in doubt with a back injury. Joe Tapine and Sia Soliola, while named, are also not certainties to take the field.
Just a quick warning for Canberra fans – the information you are about to read may cause distress. Both times these sides met last year, it was the Sea Eagles who came out on top in Golden Point.
Prediction
Ricky Stuart delivered an ultimatum earlier in the week that continued mediocrity will see more players join Blake Austin in reserve grade. Depending on the availability of Canberra’s injured trio, this is the week that I believe the Raiders will finally step up. If they cannot do so, however, I will have well and truly learnt my lesson.
Canberra by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7.35pm AEDT.
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