Raiders beat Manly 29-28 with last-minute field goal on Saturday

The Raiders won 29-28 against Manly after a late field goal. This is a close game, with only 1 point difference.
By Newsroom | Sports, Rugby League |

Golden Point Drama as Raiders Edge Manly 29-28

Ethan Sanders, a 22-year-old playing his first NRL field goal, delivered a match-winning kick to secure a 29-28 victory for the Canberra Raiders against the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday night. The pivotal moment, occurring in golden point, exposed what some reports suggest was a complacency in Manly's defense, as they failed to apply sufficient pressure on Sanders during the critical attempt.

NRL 2026 LIVE: Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders - 1

The Sea Eagles staged an impressive late-game surge, forcing the contest into extra time, though they made the task harder than necessary. They dominated possession for the initial 10 minutes of the match without capitalizing. Following a dominant run of five consecutive tries by the Raiders after halftime, Tolutau Koula single-handedly reignited Manly's challenge with a try and a crucial linebreak in the dying minutes.

NRL 2026 LIVE: Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders - 2

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart noted Sanders' composure under immense pressure, particularly given he was filling in for Jamal Fogarty. The victory marked a dramatic start to the season, with a penalty goal from Fogarty after fulltime initially leveling the scores before Sanders' heroics.

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NRL 2026 LIVE: Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders - 3

Fallout and Setbacks

The Raiders face a blow with veteran front rower Josh Papalii ruled out of their next match against the Warriors due to a HIA failure. Papalii sustained the injury in the first half after a heavy collision while attempting to prevent a try.

NRL 2026 LIVE: Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders - 4

Squad Shifts and Expectations

Manly begins their NRL season without the departed Daly Cherry-Evans, who has moved to the Roosters. Despite this significant absence, the Sea Eagles are reportedly aiming for a finals appearance after missing out last season. The Raiders, who topped the regular season ladder last year, were eliminated in the finals series in consecutive matches.

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Key Moments & Scoring Summary

TeamTriesConversionsPenaltiesDrop-Goals
ManlyTrbojevic (4), Olakau'atu (17), Koula (74)Garrick (76)--
RaidersMartin (20, 46), Savage (49, 53), Sanders (68)Sanders (21, 48, 51, 70)Fogarty (10, 81)Sanders (82)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the Raiders win against Manly on Saturday?
The Raiders won 29-28 against Manly in a close game that went into extra time. Young player Ethan Sanders kicked a field goal at the very end to win the game.
Q: Why did Manly lose to the Raiders on Saturday?
Manly lost because they did not stop Ethan Sanders from kicking the winning field goal. They had a strong comeback in the game but could not finish strong enough.
Q: What happened to Josh Papalii in the Raiders vs Manly game?
Josh Papalii will miss the next Raiders game. He had to leave the game after a heavy hit in the first half and did not pass a HIA test.
Q: What are Manly's plans for the NRL season after losing to the Raiders?
Manly wants to reach the finals this season. They lost their first game to the Raiders but will play without Daly Cherry-Evans, who moved to another team.
Q: Who scored the winning points for the Raiders against Manly?
Ethan Sanders scored the winning points for the Raiders. The 22-year-old player kicked a field goal in golden point to give his team a 29-28 victory.