The Raiders just couldn’t find their groove in today's clash, with Manly defeating them 14 – 6 in a physical round six clash at Campbelltown Stadium.
Dylan Walker and Brad Parker were helped from the field, with game-ending injuries for the Sea Eagles in the opening minutes of play. Replaced by Lachlan Croker and Jack Gosieweski, Manly was left with just two on the bench.
Manly opened the scoring after 13 minutes of play off the back of a penalty when Tom Trbojevic took on Curtis Scott and bulldozed over the line. Rueben Garrick extended the lead to 6 – 0 with a successful conversion.
The Raiders looked like scoring several times in the first half, but the Sea Eagles goal-line defence was just too good for the Green Machine, who weren’t able to breach the line.
Manly's second try came off the back of another Raiders penalty through Tevita Funa, and a successful conversion put the Sea Eagles at 12 – 0 heading into the break.
A strong first set from the Raiders to start the second half is tell-tale signs of what Ricky Stuart would’ve said to his men in the sheds.
An error from Manly gave Canberra a great opportunity early in the second half, an error in the play the ball from Siliva Havili would gift the ball back to Manly.
After 50 minutes of play, off the back of a set restart, a quick pass from Jack Wighton to Elliott Whitehead put him into space as he strolled over the line for the Raiders first points of the game. Jarrod Croker added the extra two to put his team just six points behind.
A huge tackle from Wighton on Tommy Turbo would see him limp from the field, clutching at his hamstring, with 28 minutes to go as Manly's’ side was reduced to one reserve.
Brendan Elliot went back to full back in place of Trbojevic, as Manly got repeat sets to threatening the Raiders line, and a penalty in front of the posts would see Garrick add another two points for an eight-point lead at 14 – 6.
A penalty against Ryan Sutton helped Manly march down the field and the Raiders found themselves defending their line again.
After holding them out, a huge kick from George Williams gave the Raiders a chance through Croker, but the video replay showed the captains knock-on and was denied the try.
A ball from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to Croker looked promising for the Raiders as they threatened the line again, and a subsequent knock-on from Manly would give the Raiders another chance.
As Jordan Rapana looked certain to score, Curtis Sironen came across to force his foot over the sideline to deny the Raiders again.
As the Raiders worked it away from their line, an error from Horsburgh would see the frustrations get the better of the Canberra side.
The Raiders have a tough road ahead as they come up against the Parramatta Eels next week at Bankwest.
