Powered by Ethan Strange and the NRL’s best platoon of middle forwards, Canberra have returned to the top of the ladder as they zero in on a first minor premiership in 35 years.
Strange bamboozled Daly Cherry-Evans and Manly’s right edge defence, crossing for a hattrick as the Raiders won 28-12, their tenth victory in 11 games at GIO Stadium this season.
Canberra’s nine-game winning streak may have been burst by the Dragons last week, but the Green Machine left their rivals for the title with no doubt they will be there when the whips are cracking in September.
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Josh Papali’I led the way up front and was ably supported by Joe Tapine, Corey Horsburgh and Ata Mariota, Canberra’s big men relentless through the middle of the field.
The loss for Manly builds more pressure on coach Anthony Seibold as they cling desperately to any hope of finding their way back into top eight contention, every game from now on do-or-die.
It took just three minutes for the electric speed of Tolu Koula to tear the Raiders’ apart from deep in his own territory, before he kicked infield for Tom Trbojevic, back in the number one jersey, to cross under the posts.
Strange bounced off his trusty left foot seven minutes later to leave Cherry-Evans clutching at thin air and the scores were even. Xavier Savage scored on the opposite side of the field three minutes later and Canberra looked like they were away.
Manly had the chance to take control not long after when Kaeo Weekes was sin binned for a professional foul, but the Raiders survived unscathed and despite a possession deficit, they went to the break ahead 10-6.
Koula was at it again seven minutes into the second stanza, bursting through four attempted tackles to put the Sea Eagles back in front momentarily before Strange said, ‘whatever you can do, I can do it better’ and scored his second individual four pointer.
Strange had his third not long after courtesy of a miracle flick pass from Jed Stuart and the Raiders followed with a final try to Sebastian Kris.
“This kid is on the rise,” Cooper Cronk said.
Eagles eye on Fogarty future
Manly got a taste of life beyond Daly Cherry-Evans with Jamal Fogarty’s elite kicking game on full display.
Fogarty had a try assist early on for Strange and took control of the game when Weekes was in the sin bin, twice smartly kicking for touch to slow the game.
The 31-year-old half now has 19 try assists in 2025 and his kicking will be integral to Canberra’s march towards the premiership.
Tough night for Trbojevic brothers
There were scary scenes for Manly midway through the second half when Jake Trbojevic was concussed trying to tackle a rampaging Papali’I, his third failed HIA this season. It was later classified as a category one head injury, and the veteran will miss next week’s game against the Tigers.
Brother Tom looked threatening at times in his return to fullback but was never really able to bust the line open with the speed and power that was his trademark in campaigns past.
He missed Strange badly when the Raiders prodigy scored his second and again for his third.
Raiders honour Backo
In a pre-match ceremony to recognise the NRL’s Indigenous Round, the Raiders took the opportunity to honour former Canberra, Queensland and Australian front rower Sam Backo, one of the game’s true characters.
Backo sadly passed away last Sunday in Cairns aged just 64.
He played 115 games for the Raiders in the 1980’s and in 2001 was named in rugby league’s Indigenous Team of the Century.
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