Sea Eagles
24
Match Complete
Raiders
20
| 79 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 78 |  | C. Nicoll-Klokstad | ||
| R. Garrick |  | 76 | ||
| R. Garrick | | 55 | ||
| R. Garrick | | 54 | ||
| L. Croker | | 52 | ||
| D. Cherry-Evans | | 39 | ||
| L. Croker | | 38 | ||
| 29 | | J. Croker | ||
| D. Cherry-Evans | | 26 | ||
| M. Taupau | | 24 | ||
| 12 | | J. Croker | ||
| 11 | | J. Wighton | ||
| 10 | | J. Croker | ||
| 8 | | J. Wighton |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Manly Sea Eagles and Canberra Raiders will do battle on Sunday afternoon in a match which looks extremely difficult to call. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
The Raiders, with a revamped forward pack led by English star John Bateman, have been one of the surprise packets of 2019 so far.
They come into this match holding pace with the competition leaders, having won five of their first six games, which includes four of their last five since they lost to the Melbourne Storm in Round 2.
The Raiders have improved greatly since that match, with their defence generally excellent. Two weeks ago, they held the Parramatta Eels to zero, and while they weren’t at their best last weekend, they still came away with a four-point victory over the Brisbane Broncos.
This first half of the season is incredibly important for Canberra, given they play seven of their first 11 games at home, and they need to continue building form and consistency over the next handful of weeks, with this trip to the Northern Beaches being a key one.
It’s a danger game for the Raiders, where they may need to get into the grind and use their kicking game from the much-improved Jack Wighton and Sam Williams to get them over the line.
The Sea Eagles have also surprised many to start the new season and while their results have been mixed with a three and three record, it’s the attitude they are playing with which is a clear sign of change at the club under Des Hasler.
They are going to need the new-found attitude in spades this afternoon, with Tom Trbojevic and Addin Fonua-Blake still on the sidelines for the club.
Still, if Martin Taupau can lead the way and their forwards hold their own, then the short-range kicking game of Daly Cherry-Evans will come into its own.
The biggest problem is errors, particularly among a weak back five, which still featured Brendan Elliot at fullback. Canberra have made sides pay for errors this year, and could do plenty of that this afternoon if the kicking game is good and the Manly back three not so.
Prediction
This is going to be an intersting sort of match. Even at home, and even if their forwards can match it, Manly may not have enough points in them without Tom Trbojevic. I’m tipping the Raiders with no confidence.
Raiders by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this NRL match from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 2pm (AEDT)
Venue: Lottoland, Manly
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Raiders $1.65, Sea Eagles $2.22
Overall record: Played 55, Sea Eagles 33, Raiders 21, drawn 1
Last meeting: 2018, Round 12 – Raiders 21 defeat Sea Eagles 20 at GIO Stadium, Canberra
Last five: Sea Eagles 3, Raiders 2
Record at venue: Played 28, Sea Eagles 18, Raiders 10
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee
Manly Sea Eagles
1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brad Parker, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kane Elgey, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Toafofoa Sipley, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Corey Waddell, 17. Morgan Boyle, 18. Kelepi Tanginoa, 19. Sam Smith, 20. Lachlan Croker, 21. Taniela Paseka
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Jack Murchie, 18. Aidan Sezer, 19. Bailey Simonsson, 20. JJ Collins, 21. Hudson Young
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Happy for Lachie Croker after he finally started to get in a groove last yr then his injury and to come come back today like he did would do him the world of good, what a good come back! Go Manly!
Insider
Roar Rookie
You should worry about your discipline, BJ has now infected your imports, lose the “Ricky” niggle and you will win more penalties, I really like Raiders but your garbage lets you down,didn’t Ricky say it would be a “dire” game , no “flow” and oh that Brookvale surface , well Rick get that up ya
Jon
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't worry about the public apology since Wighton wasn't error free this week.
Taree Raider
Guest
"NEWS FLASH" Jack Wighton has played 80 minutes of NRL without an error. Amazing. What would I know, after 6 years of errors, Jack has finally done it, Manly even kicked every kick off to him in the belief that he would stuff most up, he didn't. Jack you are amazing. I can't believe you could ever, ever, ever do it but you have. Were the Raiders 75% worse than Manly in the penalty count? I don't think so. Ricky, there is no way any team can counteract an offload & rapid ball movement. Manly beat us with this tactic. The Raiders are the best team in the NRL at this. But no Ricky wants to be totally focused on defence. If you keep that up you will fall on your sword. Let the Raiders play to their strengths, which is unpredictable attack, exactly as Manly did today with a 75% penalty count advantage. Jack, can you do it two weeks in a row. If you do I'll issue a public apology
Tony
Guest
Manly seem to be enjoying being underestimated by more fancied opponents (see: Souths). Moses Suli's best game to date. He was taking a leaf from Jorge Taufua's book and taking some hard yards coming out of their own end. And as much as Elgey has been trying hard in recent weeks, Croker just added an extra dimension. Elliot got a good reward too after really trying hard while getting g battered week after week. Parker is most.kmlrovef though. Some bad defensive reads by him and Garrick in the first couple of weeks but they have turned that around amazingly. Waddell had another good game. The only weak spot seems to be Boyle, but he'll drop out next week with AFB back. The big question: what's the prognosis on DCE. With him they are specials against the Dogs next week but without him who knows what will happen.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Live the Dream brother, how good did Brookie look on TV, get that up ya Ricky, dare you disrespect our hollowed turf
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not the end of the world - and full credit to Manly who were really switched on the for last 60 minutes. Saw the second half and the Raiders looked to be defending for most of it. Manly have been in pretty good form as were the Raiders leading into the match so I wasn't expecting anything other than a tough contest at Brookie. Enjoy the win.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not from what I saw - Manly were pumped in the second half despite DCE not being there - young Croker certainly stepped plus a heap of others who I don't even know the names of
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree Geoff, not taking anything away from Manly’s performance and I might be a bit harsh on the Raiders.... but they had Manly at their weakest in he second half.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers for your comments Insider!
Insider
Roar Rookie
How good ??? That was awesome guts n pride wish I was their with Hard Yards ,,, drink up brother
Insider
Roar Rookie
Pryde thankyou!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers AJ.
Insider
Roar Rookie
You have set the standard blue ball, now go away and let Manly fans savour it. Might have to give Danielle’s pest control a call and have this place fumigated
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks EJ, and congrats on the win. Really good stuff from Manly this arvo, particularly after the DCE injury, which, for the sake of Manly, Queensland and DCE, I hope isn't serious. I suppose plenty of practice helps with the fast typing!
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
This was one for the True Believers. Bus, Train and Qantas for the visitor punters here. They should be home by 11pm. I'll step outside the ground and pick up the Palm Beach bus. I'll be into the Riesling by 6 with a four N twenty pie and a packet of smokes. Life is good.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Chris!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 NRL season as the Canberra Raiders failed to capitalise on a hot start against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time to switch across to the final game of Round 8 as the Newcastle Knights host the Parramatta Eels. Daniel Szabo has the call there. Be sure to keep an eye out for my talking points this evening as well. Bye for now, and enjoy the remainder of your weekend.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Bad luck Geoff, I will say this the Raiders are the most underrated side in comp, some of those penalties where home ground advantages but if you clean up your discipline your unstoppable
AJ Mithen
Expert
Great game for the Sea Eagles. Big lessons for the Raiders. Thanks Scotty!