The Raiders have produced a stunning comeback to steal a 26-24 win over the Sea Eagles in a thrilling finish at 4 Pines Park.
It was all Manly in the first half with superstars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans putting their magic touch on the game.
But the Raiders clawed their way back into the game off the back of some huge plays by Elliott Whitehead and makeshift halfback Kaeo Weekes.
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Trbojevic got the scoring away when he crossed in the eighth minute. It was a well-deserved try after missing out on one a little earlier when Reuben Garrick made the wrong decision to throw a dummy instead of passing to an unmarked Trbojevic.
The Sea Eagles extended their lead, scoring two tries in five minutes with Tommy Talau and Daly Cherry-Evans crossing.
Things then went from bad to worse for Canberra when repeated ruck infringements came back to bite them and Albert Hopoate was sin-binned.
Manly made them pay for it when Reuben Garrick crossed two minutes later. But despite being a man down the Raiders got on the board when Whitehead set up Weekes, who scored under the posts.
Garrick bagged his second of the night — this time his dummy coming up trumps — but the Raiders kept fighting.
Whitehead barged over for a try and then five minutes later scored again after the ball bounced off Corey Waddell’s chest and landed in his hands as he steamed towards the line.
With all the momentum in their favour, the Raiders went in again, this time through Nick Cotric, who scored in the corner off a perfectly-weighted kick from Weekes.
They took the lead — and sealed the win — in the final four minutes when Hudson Young scored off an Ethan Strange grubber.
The result ended Manly’s four-game undefeated streak — three wins and a draw — and handed them their first loss on home soil this season.
For the Raiders, it was the response coach Ricky Stuart needed to see after they leaked 40 points just five days earlier.
WELCOME BACK, ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD!
Raiders skipper Elliott Whitehead told Fox League pre-game that his job on return from a calf injury is to “bring a bit of energy” — and he certainly did that.
Whitehead, who had only played one game this season prior to Friday’s win, set up the Raiders’ first try and then bagged a double to spark a spirited comeback from the Green Machine.
Whitehead was in the right place at the right time when he intercepted a Manly pass in the 31st minute. He landed on his knees when he caught it but after getting back to his feet got a flick pass away to try-scorer Kaeo Weekes.
“Elliott Whitehead with one of the plays of the season,” Fox League analyst James Graham said.
“He’s on his knees and then what a sublime flick pass to Kaeo Weekes. That is one of the best try assists you are ever likely to see. Welcome back to the NRL, Elliott Whitehead!”
Down 20-6 with 28 minutes left on the clock, the Raiders need something and it was none other than Whitehead, who delivered once again.
The veteran second-rower crossed for two tries in five minutes to well and truly swing the momentum into his side’s favour.
He crashed over for his first try and then was once again in the right place at the right time for his second as the ball bounced off a Manly player’s chest and straight into a chargin Whitehead’s arms.
“He’s stayed in the game hasn’t he?” Fox League analyst Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach said.
“He’s been out a long period of time but he knows how to play.”
RAIDERS’ MAKESHIFT HALFBACK DELIVERS
Is there anything sweeter than getting the win over your former club? We’ll have to ask Kaeo Weekes, who did exactly that at 4 Pines Park.
Weekes was earmarked for a big future for Manly but at the end of last season was informed he’s free to talk to rival clubs.
The Raiders swooped on Weekes, who has played majority of his football at fullback.
With Jamal Fogarty nursing a biceps injury, coach Ricky Stuart has turned to Weekes to fill the No.7 jersey and the 22-year-old delivered when they needed him most.
Weekes scored the Raiders’ first try and then put up a pinpoint kick to set up Nick Cotric for a crucial try in the final 15 minutes.
“What a play from Weekes. That is sensational from a young half, to have the courage to do that,” Roach said.
Weekes also took on the goal-kicking duties — for the first time in his NRL career — and with it being five tries a piece it was his boot that made the difference as he walked away with three conversions compared to Garrick’s two.
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TEAMS
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge. 18th man: 18. Aaron Woods
Raiders team: 1. Albert Hopoate 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 17. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 8. Josh Papalii 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney. 18th man: 18. Simi Sasagi
Source Agencies
