Raiders right the wrongs of 2025 with Golden Point win

The Canberra Raiders silenced any lingering demons about their exit from the 2025 NRL Finals with a thrilling Round 1 victory over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Golden Point.

Ricky's Raiders looked to be home and hosed in week one of the 2025 NRL finals against the Broncos before a flying finish handed the minor premiers a heart breaking defeat in the 93rd minute.

One week later and they were bound out of the finals race by Cronulla 32 points to 12.

The opening round of 2026 provided the Raiders a chance to bounce back, particularly poignant as it doubled as the first match up against former halfback Jamal Fogarty.

After trailing 14-0, the Raiders clawed their way back into the game with young half Ethan Sanders calmly slotting the match-winning field goal - a moment coach Ricky Stuart said symbolised a side determined to be different this year.

“I don't care how close it is, mate,” Stuart said after the win. “As long as we win.”

"What happneed in the first part of that game tonight, we practiced all off season," Stuart said. "Those type of scenarios where we just don't get anything

Stuart praised the composure of Ethan Sanders who not only kicked the winning field goal but also the Raiders final try and kicked four from five conversions, all in only his fifth NRL appearance.

"He had more pressure on him toinight than any other player on the field," he said

"I thought his game tonight was very mature, well beyond the amount of game's he's played."

Raiders captain Joseph Tapine echoed Stuart's thoughts around Sanders performance.

"Some of hose young boys really stepped up, like E [Ethan Sanders]," he said.

"I know he played last year but he's still young in his career and to take that drop goal and look effortless was unreal

"For Ethan and the boys to take that and be calm... that's credit to the coaches and the training we're doing."

Sanders wasn’t the only youngster to shine.

Back-rower Noah Martin nabbed two tries in his first start and finished the night on around 40 tackles without a miss - a performance that justified Stuart’s decision to promote him into the starting side.

“I seen from him why I picked him,” Stuart said.

“His off-season has just been superior. He deserved his position and he repaid the players in regards to his performance tonight.”

Fogarty shines against old friends

New Manly halfback Jamal Fogarty told media he was looking forward to the challenge of facing his former side in Round One.

Fogarty kicked six conversions and scored an epic 74th minute try was pivotal in taking the game to Golden Point on debut for Manly, but it wasn't enough.

"I had a good chat to Jamal," Ricky Stuart said.

I thought Jamal played very well too. There's a lot of pressure on Jamal tonight as well.

I thought he aimed up tonight and played a really good game of football too.