Raiders v Sea Eagles report: Aidan Sezer field goal helps Canberra sink Manly 21-20

TRENT Barrett made the valid point on Friday night about how much Manly missed classy hooker Api Koroisau in the heart-stopping 21-20 loss to Canberra.

Aidan Sezer hit the match winning field goal in the final seconds.

TRENT Barrett made the valid point on Friday night about how much Manly missed classy hooker Api Koroisau in the heart-stopping 21-20 loss to Canberra.

But it is also worth remembering the Raiders have been without Josh Hodgson all season.

And while it is easy to look at Canberra’s close losses so far and write them off as a genuine premiership contender, Ricky Stuart has no doubt when his club’s No 1 player finally does get back on the field he’ll have a team ready to make its charge.

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Aidan Sezer hit the match winning field goal in the final seconds.

While it was an Aidan Sezer field goal in the dying minutes that secured a stunning come-from-behind victory, the topic of Hodgson was brought to life given Manly’s absence of the suspended Koroisau.

It was a gutsy win by the Raiders after trailing 14-2 midway through the first half, although Manly fans had every right to question a controversial late Canberra try that locked the game.

With the Sea Eagles ahead 20-14 heading into the final four minutes, Jack Wighton threw a pass to Nick Cotric that looked to travel forward before the young winger chipped ahead for Wighton to touchdown.

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Trent Barrett highlighted the loss of Api Koroisau as enormous to his side in Canberra.

Jarrod Croker then nailed the sideline conversion to lock the scores at 20-all before Sezer iced the match.

Barrett said he was proud of his team’s effort once again, but not having his clever dummy half was crucial.

“We are all really disappointed and shattered about the loss because I did think we probably deserved to win,” Barrett said.

Nick Cotric did his Origin claims no harm scoring a double.

“But it was probably a little bit of pay back.

“We have had two golden point games against them last year and we got them both.

“But I couldn’t be more happier with how they have stuck together.

“It wasn’t going to be easy coming down here without Api.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart finally celebrates a tight win.

“Matty Wright and Lewie Brown did a terrific job but I think it highlighted tonight how important Api Koroisau is to our team.”

Another heart breaking loss just about would have sunk Canberra’s finals hopes.

But the win pushes the Raiders to 10 competition points in 10th spot.

Asked if he believed he had a team capable of challenging for the title when Hodgson returns from the ACL knee injury he suffered at last year’s World Cup between round 16 and 18, Stuart responded: “100 per cent.

“Josh Hodgson back will make us a stronger team with Siliva (Havili) in the team.

“And I can say it now because it is not after a loss.

Joel Thompson impressed against his former club.

“But (Hodgson) has been a massive, massive loss to us and he has been a massive loss to Aidan Sezer as well.

“What Siliva Havili has done this year as a young boy coming into a brand new team with new halves, he has been so good for us and he has helped up be on 10 points.

“But getting Josh back is going to be a massive boost for the whole team.”

CANBERRA 21 (N Cotric 2 J Wighton tries J Croker 4 goals A Sezer field goal) bt MANLY 20 (D Cherry-Evans B Kelly J Thompson tries T Hodkinson 4 goals) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Chris Butler. Crowd: 11,105.

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