Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 12 vs Raiders

The Sea Eagles overcame a 20-12 half-time deficit to finish strongly in a 30-24 victory over the Canberra Raiders at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan.

It was a well-deserved win for this young Sea Eagles team who have competed hard every week but just couldn’t close some games off.

With Manly fresh from a two-week break, Manly Coach Chris Crotty focused on improving the team’s attack in order to score more points, with the hard work paying off.

The Sea Eagles welcomed a few players back from injury and were also boosted by talented SG Ball players in hooker Zaidas Muagututia, centre Max Davies, centre Quinn Timperon, half-back Beau Alexander, prop Freddie Benson-Sparkes, and second-rower Beau McKee.

The Raiders opened the scoring in the 13th minute when goal-kicking half-back Callum Dowell backed up a break from full-back Braydan Darmody for a 4-0 lead. Dowell won Manly’s Jersey Flegg Cup Players’ Player award in 2025.

Four minutes later, Canberra spread the ball left with quick hands catching Manly out for winger Sylas Simon to dive over for a 10-0 lead.

Manly hit back quickly when Muagututia took off from dummy half to get across the line in a strong run to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 10-6 after 23 minutes.

A break down the right sideline by winger James Croker led to Canberra’s third try through prop Shalom Uatisone for a 14-6 lead after 26 minutes.

Croker is the younger brother of former Manly hooker and 2026 SG Ball Cup Coach,  Lachlan Croker.

The Sea Eagles enjoyed a touch of good fortune when forward Lewis Saad swooped on a ricochet ball off a Muagututia kick to score next to the posts to trail 14-12 after 31 minutes.

Some poor Manly defence on their line saw them concede a try right on half-time to Canberra lock Luke Cannon to trail 20-12 at half-time.

The Sea Eagles made amends quickly in the second half when Billy Thompson took off from dummy half to score under the posts to leave Manly trailing 20-18 after 46 minutes.

A flick pass from Canberra five-eighth Jamie Cowling saw Croker dive over in the corner for a 24-18 lead after 56 minutes.

A brilliant catch and pass from Alexander saw winger Mitchell Heather cross in the 67th minute to level the scores at 24-all.

Manly took the lead when five-eighth Charlie Boyle landed another perfect kick for Timperon to leap high to score next to the posts for a 30-24 lead with two minutes remaining.

Manly now plays Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Ocean Protect Stadium on Friday, May 29, at 5.35pm prior to the NRL game.