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.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Their defence has been shocking but most worrying is their ill-discipline and lack of respect for the game itself. They appear to lack mental toughness.
Jake
Guest
And Ricky Stuart coaches yet another talented team to the bottom of the ladder. When will they learn, the guy can't coach.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It’s about balance Joel. I think having both Tedesco and Turbo in the NSW side strengthens them significantly. But it’s a nice headache to have. If only we had similar talent fighting it out for the 7 jersey.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Nope. If NSW and Australian selectors aren't completely stupid, Tom will wear the #1 for both state and country for the next decade.
souvalis
Guest
For goodness sake it doesn’t matter who made the infringements..Game 2 wasn’t refereed under the same conditions as last night that’s the basic premise and the ultimate core of the controversy..couldn’t give a toss who played it.. Funny that such a comment was made by someone who’s cried throughout the entire blog about ‘the other teams fouls’ calling for impartiality..well done. ‘
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not obvious at all. Both very talented. I reckon Turbo has more upside given his ball playing ability. Crazy to think he just turned 21 I’d run with Tedesco at 1 and Turbo on the wing for now.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Because he is a better fullback than Tom.... that’s obvious.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Interesting that you didn’t name any Raiders infringements that went unpunished. If you are going to w hinge about the refs, do it fairly.
Jon
Roar Rookie
At least in the presser Sticky didn't mince words about the performance or redirect blame. Though words come easy and I'm not confident that he can turn the team around without some major changes...or even with them.
Emcie
Roar Guru
It won't happen, but I think both parties could use a fresh start
Scar82
Guest
If Sam Williams plays again next week the raiders might as well build for next year. He caused so much headache for the defence around him. Bring Austin back better tackler and attacker. Williams should have gone to Mounties.his not a first grade footballer. Two hookers Harvey and havili but hingano was not that bad. i guess he was another kicking option tonight and defended well as well.Drop Bateman and promote lui to start at 13. Roatate papalii his struggling with fitness yet he looks like his building slowly to his fitness. We need a running ball playing 13 and also a solid defender. Try someone different. I don't who anymore. But I feel they gona start stringing a few wins together starting this coming Thursday against the dogs. Come on raiders or die wondering and change the coach. Please do not resign anyone until they permanently lift as first graders.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Wow, there are still people who think James Tedesco is a better fullback than Tom Trbojevic. Amazing.
sham
Guest
I fear that the Raiders will take out the spoon this year but even with that I doubt that Ricky will be sacked. A coach or manager should aim to get his or her players to go beyond themselves but Ricky seems to do the opposite. He seems to destroy the confidence of his halves and in the case of the Raiders it is a set of halves that were one game away from the Grand Final in 2016! As for Sam Williams he seems to be a great guy but he just can’t tackle — it is so unfair on the other players to try to make up for his defensive weaknesses. Ricky is a great coach to get a team up for a short time but he then seems to have a negative effect. I fear that he puts so much focus on errors that he saps confidence. And please Ricky just pick Garvey on the bench — just stop picking halves as hookers.
Forty Twenty
Guest
Last year I remember Rapana causing us plenty of grief but it was Whighton who looked the most likely . The Raiders looked like Parra did at Brookie a couple of weeks ago in the first half, very limp. None of them could handle AFB at all and I would have him close to Turbo as best on ground. Ricky should drop into see Des Hasler while he's in town , Des might be give him some advice on surviving your last year as a coach.
Paul
Guest
And James Tedesco.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: A potential ankle injury to fullback Tom Trbojevic has soured a comfortable 32-16 win for the Sea Eagles over a lacklustre Canberra outfit at Lottoland on Saturday night. The classy Trbojevic is not the only Manly player with a nervous wait over the weekend, however, with Curtis Sironen and Kelepi Tanginoa also leaving the field with knee injuries. The Raiders were desperate for victory after being put on notice by coach Ricky Stuart for their shocking 0-3 start to the year. Canberra responded early when Iosia Soliola barged through several Manly defenders to score a worryingly soft try in the 5th minute. It was all the Sea Eagles for the remainder of the first half, however, with Trent Barrett’s men cruising to a 26-6 lead at the break. The first four-pointer for the home side saw Jake Trbojevic put brother Tom on the outside of Canberra halfback Sam Williams and the fullback returned the favour by sending Jake over to score. The Manly lock reciprocated minutes later after a Sironen offload gave Jake space to put his brother through a hole and the Manly fullback dazzled the Canberra defence before stepping through to cross over. Api Koroisau continued to put his hand up for a potential State of Origin debut this year after a slicing run put Tom through a hole. The potential Blues debutant then linked up with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans as Canberra’s defence continued to crumple. A penalty goal in the 18th minute extended Manly’s lead to fourteen before Tom Trbojevic starred again, this time putting Matthew Wright over off a floating cut-out pass. A 34th minute penalty goal saw the Sea Eagles head into the sheds with a commanding 26-6 buffer. Despite all their dominance in the first forty, Manly started the second half in sloppy fashion and realising this, Cherry-Evans opted for the two early after a penalty in the 50th minute to make it 28-6. However, the Raiders were next to score when a determined run saw Canberra skipper Jarrod Croker barge over. A slicing run by Jack Wighton in the following set saw the fullback outpace Lachlan Croker and Joel Thompson to reduce the deficit to twelve in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Raiders got after Tom Trbojevic posted his fourth try-assist of the night when he sent Wright over for his second. Errors limited any other try-scoring chances in the second half with the Sea Eagles holding on for a 32-16 win. Canberra mentor Ricky Stuart did promise further players would join Blake Austin in reserve grade if they did not meet his standards on Saturday night so it will be interesting to see the fallout of the comprehensive defeat.
souvalis
Guest
There were 23 penalties in that game compared to last nights 30...there were more but the refs didn’t blow them..Wighton was double tackled,Uate wasn’t on the line in defence as the one that Cameron questioned last night and Joel Thompson’s tackle on Whitehead contacted the head,exactly the same as Radley in the earlier game...to name but a few...where’s the consistency..if they’re going to blow them,blow them fairly..
AJL.
Roar Pro
The board needs to wield the axe on the coach. Manly basically stopped playing after 30 minutes. I can see opposition teams doing what some did against Newcastle in 2016 and resting players because they can afford to against the Raiders.
Mordac
Guest
Williams and/or Sezer. Try Higano and Austin in the halves.
sham
Guest
Ricky won’t be sacked even if as seems likely the Raiders win the spoon. As a coach or manager your goal should be to get players to go beyond what you expect from them. Unfortunately, Ricky seems to do the opposite — he takes away confidence — look at the mess in the halves this year and this is a set of halves that tool the Raiders one match away from the Grand Final in 2016! Sam Williams seems to be a good guy but he is just a defensive liability — it is just not fair on the other players to have him in the side. And why was Hingano playing hooker?