Manly 28 Canberra 29: Sanders overtime field goal wins it for Raiders

IF 4 PINES Park was a barber shop, then the Canberra Raiders walked in and asked: “give me the reverse fade”.

But by the end of play, the metaphorical man with the scissors had given them more – and less – than they asked for.

Famously monikered the ‘Canberra Faders’ and bundled out of the finals after finishing first last year, the Green Machine was spluttering when it trailed Manly 14-0 at 19 minutes.

But after pegging one try back before halftime, the Raiders set about plundering the rain-drenched Northern Beaches in the the second half.

The Raiders scored 28 unanswered points. With 10 to go, Manly fans were leaving as Ricky Stuart’s side led 26-14.

Winger Xavier Savage and rookie forward Noah Martin each scored try braces while the Sea Eagles were unable to score between the 14th and 74th minutes.

But Tolutau Koula’s try at that point was followed up by another to ex-Raider Jamal Fogerty and we had the Raiders’ usual haircut anyway.

A missed two-point field goal attempt by Fogarty from the Sea Eagles resulted in a penalty right on fulltime for off-side – and the game went into golden point.

Manly had scored another 14 unanswered points.

Less than two minutes into overtime, Ethan Sanders booted a 35 metre field goal from in front to seal victory.

CANBERRA 29 (Martin 2 Savage 2 Sanders tries Sanders 4 goals field goal) beat MANLY 28 (T Trbojevic Olakau’atu Koula Fogarrty tries Fogarty 6 goals) in golden point at 4 Pines Park.

Teams:

MANLY Tom Trbojevic (c); Jason Saab, Tolutau Koala, Rueben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate; Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogerty; Taniela Paseka, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojoevic, Jake Trbojevic. Res: Joey Walsh, Kobe Hetherington, Ethan Bullemor, Nathan Brown, Clayton Faualolo, Corey Waddell.

CANBERRA: Kaeo Weekes; Savelio Tamale, Simi Sasagi, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage; Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders; Josh Papali’i, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine (c), Hudson Young, Noah Martin, Corey Horsburgh. Res: Jayden Brailey, Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota, Morgan Smithies, Daine Laurie, Jed Stuart.

Referee: Liam Kennedy