The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders return to GIO Stadium Canberra this Saturday afternoon for an important clash against fellow top eight hopefuls in the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
Match: Raiders v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan RapanaWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy Talau
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Nathan Brown
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Adam CookInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey MooneyInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben Trbojevic
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi SasagiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert HopoateReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Clayton Faulalo
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Canberra will be desperate to bounce back after a narrow four-point loss against the Bulldogs at Belmore in Round 22, while the Sea Eagles will be fresh after having the bye last weekend.
The two competition points on offer Saturday will be crucial for both teams to secure as the Raiders sit in 10th position, meanwhile Manly sit three points ahead in seventh spot.
Talking Points
- The Canberra Raiders have made two changes to the side that tasted defeat last weekend, Ethan Strange returns to the starting side with Adam Cook moving to the interchange bench.
- Simi Sasagi also comes into the side in place of Zac Hosking, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.
- Manly welcome back Lachlan Croker and Lehi Hopoate who return from concussion protocols and a hamstring injury respectively.
- Origin forward Haumole Olakau’atu returns to the starting side after serving a two game suspension.
- Jamal Fogarty enters this weekend on a hot streak with the boot, converting his last 20 attempts at goal.
- The Raiders defence will have to be wary of Tom Trbojevic who has scored six tries in his last four appearances against Canberra.
Quote
Last Time They Met
The Raiders secured a narrow 26-24 victory in round nine at 4 Pines Park earlier this year, with a Hudson Young try in the dying minutes capturing the two points.
Key Matchup
Jamal Fogarty vs Daly Cherry-Evans
The battle between the respective number sevens will be instrumental in guiding their sides around and securing the two competition points.
Jamal has been instrumental for the Raiders this season, especially since returning against the Warriors in round 20 with his long kicking and ability to guide his side around the park.
In 10 appearances this season, the crafty halfback has assisted seven tries, forced nine goal line dropouts and leads the league in average kicking metres with 558 metres a game.
After a busy Origin period, Manly halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans will be aiming to guide his side to a finals birth, with the week off last weekend a great opportunity to recharge for their finals push.
This season Cherry-Evans has been a consistent performer once again for the Sea Eagles, scoring six tries, assisting a further 10, while also being dangerous with his kicking game forcing a league-high 19 goal line dropouts.
The ability of either halfback to guide their side around the park will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of this contest on Saturday afternoon and in the process each side’s finals ambitions.
Head to Head
This will be the 39th matchup between the two sides, with the Canberra Raiders claiming 16 victories compared to 22 for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
