Dylan Walker turns around horror night in Canberra

DYLAN Walker had a night to forget in Canberra, until one moment changed everything and left commentators in disbelief.

Dylan Walker celebrates after winning the game for Manly.

IT’S safe to say it didn’t look like being Dylan Walker’s night in Canberra.

The Manly Sea Eagles star missed two relatively easy shots at goal that would have won the game for his side near the end, and he also found himself on report.

But none of that mattered when Walker slotted a long range penalty goal in golden point extra-time that handed Manly at 20-18 victory over the Raiders.

It made the State of Origin star an instant hero, and the winning kick was anything but easy, as Walker was forced to kick over 40 metres, all while Canberra players sledged the Manly star.

Fortune had deserted Walker throughout the 80 minutes, but luck proved to be in on his side in the golden point period — his shot at goal going over the crossbar after hitting the post.

Walker lands the goal in Golden Point!#NRLRaidersManly #NRL pic.twitter.com/sg0YlAz8Bc

— NRL (@NRL) April 21, 2017

Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss couldn't hide his disbelief at the final conversion that decided a game that practically had everything.

“It’s better than a miracle,” Voss exclaimed. “I don’t know what’s better than a miracle but you’ve just seen it there.”

The match-winning attempt looked like a shank off the boot of Walker, but somehow the effort found its mark.

“It looked like it was hitting the scoreboard,” Voss said.

“Dylan Walker gets the last laugh. If ever there was an example of the last laugh.”

It looked as though Walker would be the villain after Jordan Rapana had put the home side ahead with just four minutes left.

The Canberra Raiders winger has become a human highlight reel thanks to his acrobatic try scoring feats, and his miracle effort against Manly may just top the lot.

Rapana’s leaping try in the 73rd minute stunned both commentators and fans, as the flyer refused to give up on Blake Austin’s grubber in-goal. Rapana launched himself at the ball as it bounced over the dead ball line, miraculously touching down.

“It goes against everything that is physically possible,” Voss screamed.

“Everyone had given up on it, every fan, every player, even Blake Austin,” co-commentator Anasta said.

“No one else can do that — what a play.”

Vision of the @RaidersCanberra Try decision in the 72nd minute of #NRLRaidersManly.#NRL pic.twitter.com/N6Mgd69eHN

— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) April 21, 2017

Sadly for Rapana even his sensational effort wasn’t enough to see the Raiders take the two points home.

Despite leading with four minutes remaining, Jake Trbojevic rained on the home side’s parade, touching down to make it 18-18.

That try gave Walker an attempt to win the match, but the Manly kicker horribly screwed his effort, despite lining up just next to the goalposts — generally a regulation conversion attempt.

Walker misses! Can't get the @SeaEagles to take the lead.#NRLRaidersManly 14-14 with 12 minutes to go.#NRL pic.twitter.com/CvJsWUXGIe

— NRL (@NRL) April 21, 2017

That would send the game to golden point extra-time and fortunately this time, luck shined on the unlucky Sea Eagle.

Walker will be hoping that his good fortune continues as he will be anxiously waiting a sanction from the NRL judiciary.

The Manly centre was placed on report early in the second half for a “head slam”, although commentators felt Walker was harshly treated by officials.

“Back in the day that’s just a hard tackle,” Fox Sports commentator Braith Anasta said.

“You can see why he’s asking the referee ‘Is this rugby league?’.”