Raiders coach Ricky Stuart celebrated a thrilling victory after a rain-soaked battle at Brookvale, where young playmaker Ethan Sanders delivered a match-winning 35-meter field goal in extra time. The 22-year-old’s composure shone through in just his fifth NRL appearance, securing a 29-28 comeback win after both teams erased 14-point deficits.
Bold Succession Plan Pays Off
Canberra passed on matching a lucrative $2 million offer that drew former star halfback Jamal Fogarty to Manly. Instead, Stuart and the Raiders committed to Sanders as their long-term No.7, signing the teenager from Parramatta two years ago. Sanders rewarded their faith with a scything try from close range and stout defense against Manly’s powerful back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu.
Sanders, who patiently developed behind Fogarty and previously at Parramatta with Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, embraced the high-stakes moment. “Your dream as a halfback is to be in that position, to kick those goals,” Sanders said after his 81st-minute heroics. “We weren’t planning on doing it, but we ended up getting a quick play-the-ball and I just took it – I didn’t really think about it.”
Stuart Praises Maturity
Before kickoff, Stuart highlighted Sanders’ patience: “A lot of young players today are too much in a rush to play first grade… I think he’s quite courageous in regards to taking that apprenticeship on last year, to build longevity in his career.”
Post-match, Stuart lauded both halfbacks. “Ethan Sanders, I thought his game tonight was very, very mature, well beyond the amount of games he’s played,” he said. “I think that was probably the fifth or sixth game in first grade. He had more pressure on him tonight than any player on the field.”
Fogarty also impressed in his Manly debut opposite Sanders. Sanders reflected on his journey: “I wouldn’t say I was desperate [to play NRL], I was just learning. There’s a bunch of great leaders in this side; it was just good to sort of pick their brains and be around them 24/7… To be able to get the halfback role in round one is yet another tick on the goal list.”
