Valiant Raiders defeat depleted Manly

The debut halves pairing of Blake Austin and Sam Williams will have impressed Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after the clinical performance they laid on the hapless Sea Eagles.

Manly scored their only points of the first half in the third minute through a simple passing drill to the right touchline for debutant Tom Trbojevic to score the first of his two tries.

The late inclusion of Sisa Waqa proved to be effective as he scored off a Manly dropped ball in the 11th minute.

This is when Austin made the first half his own. It only took 15 minutes for Austin to score a try himself when he broke through the centre of the field from 10 metres out, thanks to a deceiving change of direction and pass from dummy half Josh Hodgson.   

Austin later laid a flat pass out for Jarrad Kennedy to burst through Jesse Sene-Lefao and the Manly line in the 26th minute.

Manly had a try scoring opportunity late in the first half but Austin threw himself in the way and stopped Cheyse Blair.

From a high kick the Raiders were able to score again in the 37th minute when Sisa Waqa deflected the ball for Jordan Rapana to dive over in the right corner. Sam Williams added a field goal in the dying seconds of half time to be 23-4 at the break.

Coming out of break neither side was able gain an advantage or add to their scores.

Josh Hodgson broke the game open in the 53rd minute when he kicked a 40/20; which resulted in a converted try when Williams kicked a deft ball in the in goal for Jarrod Croker to score around four lazy Manly defenders.

The Sea Eagles finally combined in attack as Trbojevic got his double from Daly Cherry-Evans and Brett Stewart lead up play to make the score 29-10. 

A perfectly placed chip kick from Foran gave Blair an uncontested catch and grounding to make the score 29-16 and spark hopes of a comeback. It was too little too late however, Williams was able to steer his side home in his first NRL game of the season.

Next weekend the Sea Eagles travel to Penrith to take on the Panthers Saturday night and Canberra will host the Melbourne Storm on Sunday afternoon.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (16)
Tries: Tom Trbojevic (2), Cheyse Blair
Field Goals:
Conversions: Peta Hiku (2/3)
Penalty Goals:

CANBERRA RAIDERS (29)
Tries: Sisa Waqa, Jarrod Croker, Blake Austin, Jordan Rapana, Jarrad Kennedy
Field Goals: Sam Williams (1/1)
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (4/5)
Penalty Goals:

Welcome to this round 5 matchup between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders. One injury related change has been made by both sides in the last 15 minutes. Sisa Waqa has been rushed in for Canberra at centre who replaces Jeremy Hawkins. Manly have ruled Steve Matai and Peta Hiku has been moved from the wing to the centre's to cover. This allows Tom Trbojevic to debut on the wing.

Both sides will be desperate for victory as they have both started the season with one win and three losses. As troubled as Manly are with injuries they are still considered the favourites. Even though this game is being played in Albury today the Sea Eagles are technically the home side. Sam Williams will be a player to monitor today as Canberra coach Ricky Stuart Canberra coach brought him in to replace a struggling Mitch Cornish at halfback. Brett Stewart is one try away from reaching 150 career tries. Coin toss and kick off coming at approximately 5:05pm!

Sea Eagles have won the toss. The Raiders will kick off first.

The Raiders are running onto the field now. Manly to come and then kick off!

Matt Ballin has had a great week. He's resigned with Manly until 2017, plays his 200th game and leads the Sea Eagles onto the park this afternoon.

Manly receive the Raiders kick off in goal. Here we go!

1: DCE kicks a simple and long kick downfield. With no pressure on him Wighton drops the awkward bouncing ball and Manly have a scrum feed from 15m out. Great attacking chance.

3: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Tom Trbojevic. Kick to come.
From centre field 5m out a simple three passes to the right wing sees the rookie Trbojevic score an easy four pointer on his first touch. Soft try Canberra should not have been out numbered.

3: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Peta Hiku unsuccessful.
The attempt from the right touch line hits the post and bounces away. Looked good in flight from the fill in kicker.

4: Great metres from Manly on the first set after points. Canberra field the ball 10m out from their line.

5: Raiders go end to end. They are 20m out on fifth tackle. Trbojevic gets tested with a high ball and takes an astounding catch under pressure.

6: Raiders try an aggressive chip kick on the fifth tackle from 30m out. It finds space 5m out but the rookie Trbojevic cleans it up.

7: Not many metres being made by the Manly forwards. They just make halfway but a good kick finds space and Wighton is forced to go back to the in goal.

7: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Edrick Lee makes an unforced error.
Drops the ball in a tackle 40m out from his line. Manly scrum with valuable field position.

9: Sea Eagles attack through their left edge this time. Stewart created some space but Williame's knock on allows Canberra to pick up the ball and play on.

10: Josh Papalli grabs a loose ball from Cheyse Blair 10m out from Manly try line. Pressure's on!

11: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Sisa Waqa. Kick to come.
The sudden change of possession was critical. After Papalli is tackled Canberra put the ball through the hands for Sisa Waqa to score on the right sideline. Another easy try this afternoon.

12: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Hooks the ball to the right from the right hand touchline.

12: Penalty for the Raiders. Coming out of their end Manly are ill-disciplined in the ruck. Raiders have the ball from 30m out and a new set.

15: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
Charging front rowers provide the opportunity for Josh Hodgson to put Austin in a gap to score underneath the posts. Sloppy play by Manly.

15: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
The simple conversion is successful.

18: Canberra were dropping the ball early. Now they are holding the football and making great meters which has allowed them the opportunity to score points against a weak Manly defence.

19: From 30m out Manly place an attacking bomb toward Jordan Rapana however the slightly late chase allows an easy catch.

21: A Canberra kick from 65m away from the line lands perfectly in the in goal. That'll help make up the few metres made by the forwards.

21: Stewart's put up another high ball. They want to test Wighton in his new fullback role and make him feel uncomfortable. Especially since he's dropped one already.

22: Wighton takes the catch and Manly are penalised. Raiders get the ball inside the Manly half for another attacking raid.

23: Austin attempts a grubber kick towards the right of the posts for Waqa but it doesn't find space. Foran fields it 5m out.

24: Knock on Manly. Hiku in a three man tackle spills the ball. No sign of a rake, it's a good call. Raiders get the ball from 40m out once again.

26: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jarrad Kennedy. Kick to come.
Hodgson fakes passing left and gets the ball to Austin at first receiver. Austin runs direct at the defence and throws a flat pass to Kennedy. He goes over after a bad missed tackle from Sene-Lefao.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
A kick he would normally make nine times out of 10 goes over.

27: Wighton drops the ball on the first set after points. Puts a simple pass down. Manly with the scrum 10m out. Points so often come after a mistake like this Raiders will do well to hold on.

28: Looking dangerous are Manly but multiple attempts to score a defused by the Raiders. Canberra are throwing the ball around and are showing urgency to make meters.

30: Raiders make 70m in the set and their bomb put up by Austin is defused. Manly need to recoup here.

31: Cheyse Blair makes 30m from a half break and earns a penalty at the halfway line.

32: Manly are once again at fifth tackled inside the Raiders 20m and a DCE kick to Trbojevic on the wing is knocked on. Raiders get a 20m restart.

33: Buhrer gets crunched in a tackle by Rapana. Ball comes loose and Rapana gets the ball. He runs down the touch line, kicks back in and Waqa kicks the ball to the in goal and places the ball down. Ref rules try but has referred to the video referee.

33: No try is the ruling. Buhrer is being sent for a concussion test after the video reveals a high shot. Penalty for the Sea Eagles.

34: Austin throws his body at Blair to deny a Manly try on the sideline. Austin is lying still on the ground after receiving all the contact on his nose.

35: To play on after this contact will be sensational. A blood nose will be the least of his problems. Raiders teammates appreciate the effort Austin gave.

35: He's up! Austin is up and is taking his place in the line.

35: Stewart fields the ball on his 10m line from a Canberra long kick and he will start the set for Manly.

35: A DCE kick goes too deep. Over the in goal line and it's a seven tackle set coming for Canberra.

37: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jordan Rapana. Kick to come.
A Sam Williams kick goes across field to Waqa. He taps the ball right into Kennedy's lap and he passes to Rapana to go untouched for a four pointer. All created by Waqa there.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
The rain has just started pelting down here in Albury and Crocker does very well to convert the sideline kick.

39: Manly give the penalty away and are a mess. They're gifting field position to the Raiders and another chance for points before halftime is realistic.

40: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL CANBERRA RAIDERS
Field goal attempt by Sam Williams successful.
Deciding against testing the Manly line again Sam Williams finds himself wide open 10m out and in front of the posts. He converts a simple field goal.

40: With the additional point on the Canberra score that brings us to halftime.

40: It's often said rugby league is a game of mistakes. The Manly players have missed many tackling assignments that they are expected to make in first grade. When they've made tackles they've often held on too long drawing the whistles of the referee's. The best players of the first half for Canberra would be Austin, Waqa and Williams. For Manly Trbojevic has looked good so far in his debut. See you for the second half in about 10 minutes.

42: The first set of the second half sees the Raiders make a good 70 metres. A Willliams kick goes high to Trbojevic who takes it comfortably. He lands however and his right leg was jarred. Play stops but he gets up and the game is back underway.

43: Few metres for Manly. Foran is forced to kick from 40m out of his line.

43: Stewart takes an easy catch from a Sam Williams bomb. The air assault must be a directive from Ricky Stewart at halftime.

44: Penalty to Manly. Raiders hold on too long in the tackle. DCE kicks long and gets 40m on the kick.

45: DCE puts a bomb up that comes down on the try line. Blair comes screaming in and takes the catch. He spins and looks to have grounded the ball. The decision goes to the video referee. On field ref thinks no try.

45: Blair puts on an oscar earning act pretending that he scored. He caught the ball but no grounding took place. Raiders ball 10m out.

46: Manly start a set on their 10m line after a solid set from the Raiders.

47: Strong runs see the Sea Eagles make 70m. Wighton drops a bomb and Manly have a set of six on the Raider's try line.

48: An errant Manly pace is intercepted by Shaun Fensom. He makes 30m before being pulled down. Disappointing from Manly.

49: The kick from Williams goes high and too deep. Trbojevic takes it in goal and runs out for a seven tackle set at the 20m line.

50: Sam Williams drops the ball when cleaning up a short Sea Eagles kick. Wighton fields and makes 15m.

51: Raiders turnover the ball and Manly are back charging into the Raiders half. A tackle attempt from Canberra connected with the ball and it's considered a knock on. Six more for Manly.

53: DCE creates a 3-2 with the Raiders left defence. He passes to Hiku but he drops the ball in an attempt to pass to the winger. Raiders start a set 2m out.

53: 40/20 CANBERRA RAIDERS
Josh Hodgson kicks a 40/20.
Momentum is turned this is a big play.

55: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jarrod Croker. Kick to come.
Sam Williams places a deft grubber kick into the in goal on tackle four. Four Manly players were standing around expecting somebody else to clean up the ball and Crocker pounces to claim his first four pointer of the night. The 70th try of his career.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
From halfway between touch and centre field Crocker slots it between the posts.

56: Canberra provide a high clearing kick and Blair hits the ball up 15m out.

58: DCE is forced to kick at halfway and Rapana fields it for the Raiders 20m out.

59: Penalty to Manly. A Williams bomb is taken by Brett Stewart and the ref has ruled the Raiders gave a second effort in pushing Stewart to the in goal. The Sea Eagles gain 30m on the kick.

60: Forced to run on fifth tackled Manly put a grubber kick in which lands on the try line for Wighton to field.

61: Josh Papalii has lost the ball in the tackle. Manly ball 20m away from their attacking try line.

61: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Tom Trbojevic. Kick to come.
A familiar combo provides points for Manly. DCE passes from first receiver to Brett Stewart lurking behind on the right side of the field. He gets a quick ball to Trbojevic and it's a double for the debutant in the corner.

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Peta Hiku successful.
Does extremely well like Crocker earlier to land this conversion. Rain is pouring harder now.

61: Dropped ball on tackle two means Manly cough up possession 10m out.

61: Williame performs a try saving tackle on Rapana who chose to run on the last tackle.

61: Not good signs for Manly DCE is struggling to stand up and looks to be injured from a tackle. Play is ongoing.

65: DCE waves off the trainers, he stays on the park.

66: Manly go wide on the left corridor to gain 30m through Foran. He broke three tackles in his run.

68: Penalty grants Manly more possession. DCE kicks towards the right corner and Lee recovers it. Oh no! He attempts to pass in the in goal to Wighton and the ball goes out over the dead ball line. Dangerous stuff!

69: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Cheyse Blair. Kick to come.
Foran shapes to pass, then kicks to the left wing for Blair to run, catch and plant the ball down next to the posts.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Peta Hiku successful.
A quick kick as a belief for a comeback is born.

71: Penalty Manly. They are bustling now, quickly gaining metres.

71: Foran is in front of the try line and attempts a grubber kick. It's a fast reflex catch by Austin and some pressure is released.

73: On the return set from Manly Waqa intercepts a pass and is immediately grounded. Raiders have possession at halfway.

74: A fifth tackle kick from Austin forces Cheyse Blair to bat it over the dead ball line. Goal line drop out coming up from Manly.

74: Canberra make a mess of the kick and Manly gain possession.

75: Willie Mason makes a half break. Foran on fifth tackle places a chip kick which is instantly caught by the Raiders 30m out.

76: Williams shows his experience as he kicks the ball over the sideline on the last. The players get some air.

77: From 40m out Foran kicks high. Trbojevic fields it 15m out and it's six to go.

78: Mason in a tackled involving four Raiders players at the line spills the ball. Raiders will attempt to come out of their end.

78: 60m from the Raiders set and Austin places a chip kick which lands 20m out and Stewart fields.

80: Hiku breaks three tackles and Manly are in desperation football. The ball is going side to side and it's eventually gone to ground and into the hands of the Raiders.

80: So the Raiders prevail 29-16 in a performance they deserve to win. Sam Williams and Blake Austin combined well in the halves to steer the team around the park. Manly were missing key players due to injury but they were also missing effort for crucial stretches during the match. Stay tuned for a full match report. Thank you for joining the live updating today. Enjoy your Easter weekend!