Manly finds shot of gold
MANLY’S Dylan Walker sealed a dramatic goldenpoint victory over Canberra in a classic NRL clash at GIO Stadium.
A penalty goal secured a 20-18 win for the Sea Eagles in front of a crowd of 15,976 last night.
When Jordan Rapana scored a contender for try of the season, the Raiders led 18-14 inside the last 10 minutes of regulation time.
With the ball over the dead ball line in the air, from a Blake Austin grubber kick, Rapana dived, retrieved the ball from a near-impossible position and grounded in the corner.
But Jarrod Croker hit the upright and missed the conversion, opening the door for Manly.
Minutes later, Manly forward Frank Winterstein burst through a hole in defence before setting up fullback Tom Trbojevic for the try that levelled the scores.
In yet another twist, Walker missed the conversion and a Daly CherryEvans field goal attempt was charged down by Josh Hodgson ensuring the game would go to golden point.
In the first half of extra time, Manly won a penalty 40 metres from goal and Walker manged to convert, with the aid of the right- hand upright to make him the hero. After a cagey first half in which Canberra led 6-2, Josh Papalii broke through the tackles of Cherry-Evans and Walker to drive over the line for a brilliant try.
Croker converted to extend the lead to 10 points but in a sign of things to come, the Sea Eagles refused to be beaten. A slice of luck allowed Jake Trbojevic to cross for Manly’s first try and two minutes later Walker sliced through the Raiders line to level the scores, before putting his side in front with a sideline conversion.
In a rollercoaster night for the Sea Eagles centre he was placed on report in the first half for a head slam on halfback Aidan Sezer, which sparked tempers on both sides.