The Sea Eagles have come away with a convincing victory, courtesy of a kicking masterclass from halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
The experienced playmaker kicked two field goals, recorded a try assist off his boot and kicked a field goal in his side’s 25-6 win.
Young flyer Tolu Koula set up the first try, allowing Reuben Garrick to cross in the corner before Jason Saab reeled in a Cherry-Evans bomb to set up the Sea Eagles second, courtesy of Morgan Harper.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
Raiders half Jack Wighton then scored the Raiders first and only try, stepping off the left to score.
Backrow enforcer Haumole Olakau’atu scored the first try of the second half, scooping a Cherry-Evans kick up to cross at a crucial moment with scores hanging in the balance at 10-6.
The Sea Eagles then kicked on off the back of Cherry-Evans masterclass, with Tom Trbojevic crossing for the final try of the match before Reuben Garrick added a penalty to make the score 24-6.
The Kangaroos half then went about rubbing his stellar showing in, kicking a field-goal to finish the game 25-6.
“It is hard to imagine that Daly Cherry-Evans, in his 265-game career, has kicked better than this. And he’s been a wonderful kicker for so long,” commentator Dan Ginnane said.
KFC SuperCoach is back! You could win the Holy Grail of Fantasy Footy plus $50k cash. Play now
Read below for the three big takeaways from tonight’s clash!
KOULA DELIVERS ON STARTING DEBUT
Young gun Tolu Koula showed he is a young star when he set up the opening try of the night for the Sea Eagles.
Not long after some threatening runs, Tom Trbojevic turned the ball on the inside to the 19-year-old centre.
Koula initially looked to be tackled, but burst through, getting back on his feet to find winger Reuben Garrick to cross in the corner.
His efforts clearly impressed Fox League commentators Dan Ginnane and Steve Roach.
“Welcome to first grade, that is a lovely try,” Ginnane said.
“He had it all to do Koula, we have got to give him a wrap,” Roach said.
“Jumped up and played on, got the ball on the outside there, Garrick gets over that is great play.
“Jeese he has had a start to the game the young fella.”
While it is no secret about Koula’s sheer pace, Ginnane believed he showed he isn’t just a speedy pair of legs.
“We know he is quick, he showed a little bit of that in the trials but evidently he has skills as well,” Ginnane said.
“Dad was a national sprint champion, mum was even better, went to the Olympics a number of times as a hurdler and a long jumper, they are fairly good genes.”
Koula finished the night with an impressive 141 kicking metres, three tackle breaks, one line break and a try assist in his starting debut against the Raiders.
WIGHTON THE RAIDERS ONLY ATTACKING SPARK
The Raiders have had a poor night in attack, with the only spark being provided by superstar playmaker Jack Wighton.
Wighton crossed for his side’s only try in the first half, but the Raiders looked lethargic and struggled to provide any threat in the second.
“The stats were pretty similar across the board for both teams, but the difference tonight was the star power of the Manly team. Jack Wighton tried with that one try just before half time, but Cherry-Evans and Turbo just put on a clinic when they had to.” Fox League’s Cooper Cronk said.
“A pitiful 4/10 completion rate in this second half,” Dan Ginnane said.
“They went off the rails in Townsville against the Cowboys and again it has really happened here.”
Late in the second half the Raiders again were unable to complete a set, which prompted Ginnane: “No words necessary.”
The Raiders recorded 10 errors and completed at only 70% in Mudgee and didn’t look like scoring when they needed a try most, early in the second half.
Despite an overall poor performance, Jack Wighton proved just how crucial he is to Ricky Stuart.
The Raiders five-eigth put up a huge knuckling bomb that was dropped by fullback Tom Trbojevic in a rare sighting midway through the first half.
Then, with the game in the balance, Wighton took it forward, threw a trademark dummy to burst over and make the score 10-6.
“He is deadly, he is like a viper from that close range and Canberra is back in business,” Dan Ginnane said of Wighton’s performance.
“If you don’t come off your line hard against Jack Wighton that is exactly what he will do, he will sense it,” Steve Roach said.
“Wighton only needs half a sniff.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
CHERRY-EVANS GOLDEN BOOT
Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans delivered a kicking masterclass to steer his side to victory over the Raiders in Mudgee.
At the beginning of the second half, the Sea Eagles gun kicked a rare 20/40 to drag his side forward into an attacking position.
“He has done it, Cherry-Evans, masterful, a rule hardly ever exploited,’ commentator Dan Ginnane said.
“Cherry-Evans, he has kicked it to perfection.”
Minutes later, the halfback trickled the ball in behind the Raiders defence for Haumole Olakau’atu to score a crucial try to extend the score to 14-6.
But Cherry-Evans didn’t stop there.
With around 20 minutes left in the second half Cherry-Evans kicked a second 40/20 which again brought his side into the attacking end, resulting in a Tom Trbojevic try.
“Olakau’atu scores and it comes off the boot of Daly Cherry-Evans again,” Jake Duke said on Fox League.
“That is his second try assist of the game. He has kicked 480 metres in this game and forced a drop out as well.
“He had the 20/40. He has put Manly on his back in this game. He also kicked that winning field goal last week to give them their first win of the season.”
“It is hard to imagine that Daly Cherry-Evans, in his 265-game career, has kicked better than this. And he’s been a wonderful kicker for so long,” Dan Ginnane said.
Fox League experts voiced the commentators sentiment, with Braith Anasta labelling it a “kicking masterclass” and Michael Ennis stating “he completely kicked Canberra out of the game.”
Cherry-Evans finished with staggering statistics, kicking for 632 metres with two 40/20s, two forced dropouts, a field goal and a try assist off the boot.
MORE NRL NEWS
REVEALED: The ‘simple fix’ to key mistake ‘nervy’ Bunnies keep making
LATE MAIL: Gun Manly teen promoted; injury blow forces Broncos into late reshuffle
BIG HITS: ANOTHER Panthers star emerges; big Bunnies silver lining
CASUALTY WARD: Frizell’s milestone match cut short; Bunnies star goes down
BIG HITS: Sharks stun as ‘unstoppable’ star shines; Ponga ‘off his game’
WAYNE’S WORLD: Dolphins circle Ponga and begin talks with Munster
KEEP UP WITH ALL THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW!
If you can’t see it, click here!!!!