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'Statistics we have never seen': Raiders’ unprecedented defensive horrors as Manly soar high
Sam Kosack • March 23rd, 2025 10:39 pm
An unprecedented first half of possession has seen the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles defeat the Canberra Raiders 40-12.
Despite poor discipline that cost the away side numerous six agains, the Raiders sustained a mountain of pressure for the first 20 minutes, defending their line for what seemed like most of the first quarter.
However, when Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh was sin binned in the 21st minute for repeated infringements, the floodgates opened, with Garrick pouncing for the first of his four tries a minute later.
The Sea Eagles scored four more tries in the next 15 minutes, including a double in two minutes to prop Ethan Bullemor, to lead 30-0 at halftime.
A snapshot of the fulltime statistics paints the picture of Manly’s domination. The home side had 64 percent of possession, and 23 more sets than the Raiders.
At halftime, the home side had three times the amount of run metres (941 to 317), and had made a third of the tackles (78 to 236) compared to Canberra.
SEN commentator Jimmy Smith was in disbelief at the break.
“These are statistics we have never seen at this stage of a game in the national rugby league,” Smith remarked.
“The Raiders are no hope if they don’t fix these six agains.
“Are the six against warranted? I don’t know!”
SEN experts Tim Mannah and Mark Carroll praised both the Sea Eagles and Raiders after the game, saying despite a lopsided scoreline, positives could be taken for both teams.
“Manly did well to capitalise on their opportunities,” Mannah said post-game.
“The Raiders should be praised for their defence because it should have been 60,” Carroll said.
Garrick was the main beneficiary of Manly’s haul, scoring 4 tries and 6 goals, falling two points short of tying the record for most points in a game by a Manly player, as the centre also celebrated the birth of his first child this week.
Seb Kris and Hudson Young would score two tries in the final 20 minutes, doing little to change the result, but ensuring the visitors didn’t leave with nothing to their name.
The Sea Eagles weren’t without their injury concerns out of the game, with prop Taniela Paseka leaving the field in the 23rd minute with an Achilles injury, likely to rule him out for 5-8 months and end the prop’s season.
Hooker Jazz Tevaga and winger Jason Saab also failed to finish the match, while Tolu Koula came from the field with two minutes to go as a precaution, meaning the home side finished the game with 12 players on the field.
Ricky Stuart will be left scratching his head at where his side’s discipline issues came from, and how to fix them before their next match against the Cowboys in Townsville, while the Sea Eagles will be hoping to carry this form into the next match against the Eels.
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