MANLY SEA EAGLES 28 CANBERRA RAIDERS 29
CALLUM WALKER, 4 Pines Park, Saturday

STEP forward Ethan Sanders.

The 22-year-old Raiders halfback sent over the winning field-goal in golden-point as Canberra withstood a late Manly fightback to ensure victory in round one.

Canberra led 28-14 at one stage before two late tries from Tolutau Koula and Jamal Fogarty, as well as two conversions and a Fogarty penalty, set up the grandstand finish.

Tom Trbojevic crossed the whitewash first to break the deadlock after just four minutes. Fogarty converted and then added a penalty shortly afterwards for an 8-0 lead.

Haumole Olakau’atu stretched the Sea Eagles’ lead to 14-0 just before the midway point in the first half, but the ever-impressive Noah Martin cut the deficit to just eight at the break.

Whatever Canberra boss Ricky Stuart said at half-time certainly worked as the Raiders looked a different animal in the second half.

Martin grabbed his second just after the break before Xavier Savage notched a quickfire double moments later to take the visitors into a 22-14 lead.

Sanders crossed on 68 minutes to make it 28-14 before Koula and Fogarty hit back as Manly trailed by two with a minute left.

But as Fogarty lined up a two-point field goal to try and square proceedings, the hosts were offside and the Manly halfback sent the game into golden-point.

Sanders, however, made sure Canberra returned to the capital victorious.

SEA EAGLES: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Jason Saab, 3 Tolutau Koula, 4 Reuben Garrick, 5 Lehi Hopoate, 6 Luke Brooks, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Taniela Paseka, 9 Jake Simpkin, 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11 Haumole Olakau’atu, 12 Ben Trbojevic, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Subs: 14 Joey Walsh (not used), 15 Kobe Hetherington, 16 Ethan Bullemor, 17 Nathan Brown, 18 Clayton Faulalo (not used), 20 Corey Waddell

Tries: T Trbojevic (4), Olakau’atu (17), Koula (74), Fogarty (75); Goals: Fogarty 5/5, Garrick 1/1

RAIDERS: 1 Kaeo Weekes, 2 Savelio Tamale, 3 Simi Sasagi, 4 Sebastian Kris, 5 Xavier Savage, 6 Ethan Strange, 7 Ethan Sanders, 8 Josh Papalii, 9 Tom Starling, 10 Joseph Tapine (C), 11 Hudson Young, 12 Noah Martin, 13 Corey Horsburgh. Subs: 14 Jayden Brailey, 15 Zac Hosking, 16 Ata Mariota, 17 Morgan Smithies, 18 Daine Laurie (not used), 19 Jed Stuart (not used)

Tries: Martin (20, 46), Savage (49, 53), Sanders (68); Goals: Sanders 4/5; Field-goals: Sanders (82)

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 8-0, 14-0, 14-6; 14-12, 14-18, 14-22, 14-28, 20-28, 26-28, 28-28; 28-29

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula; Raiders: Noah Martin

Penalty count: 8-4; Half-time: 14-6; Referee: Liam Kennedy; Attendance: 17,532