Sunday first NRL Round 24 match is between Canberra Raiders and Manly Sea Eagles with the opening kick to commence at 2:00PM local time. The game is to be played at Canberra Stadium with the Canberra Stadium team Manly Sea Eagles hold favouritism in the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Canberra Raiders and Manly Sea Eagles.

Canberra Stadium

Sunday, 2pm

Canberra Raiders $2.55 vs Manly Sea Eagles $1.47 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Canberra Raiders $3.20 vs Manly Sea Eagles $1.37 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Canberra Raiders	2.55	2.80	3.20	2.80	2.55	2.75
Manly Sea Eagles	1.47	1.45	1.37	1.45	1.47	1.45

Preview:

Manly’s run of wins was brought to an end last week when, in a somewhat controversial manner, when they were beaten by South Sydney 22 – 10.

It was still anyone’s game heading into the final quarter of the match but three late tries to Souths blew the scoreline out.

It continued a worrying trend for Manly who have only recorded four wins from eleven matches against teams inside the top eight.

Luckily this week, they face Canberra who sit in ninth spot.

It has been a big week off the field for the Raiders with coach Dave Furner being stood down effective immediately after a section of the playing group approached officials.

These players and the side, have put themselves into a corner this week that may be hard to get out off, especially with their season on the line.

Should they lose, and the Warriors, North Queensland win, along with the victor of the Brisbane/Penrith game, the Raiders could found themselves as low as twelfth on the ladder.

It’s as big as it gets for the Raiders.

Manly have won the last three encounters between the two sides, the two most recent by a six point margin and in all three – the total match score was under 30 points.

Neither side will leave anything to chance in what should be a fantastic game but, in a tight contest, would have to favour Manly.

Teams:

Canberra Raiders:
Reece Robinson, Sandor Earl, Jarrod Croker, Bill Tupou, Sami Sauiluma, Anthony Milford, Josh McCrone, David Shillington, Shaun Berrigan, Brett White, Josh Papalii, Joel Thompson, Paul Vaughan. Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Joel Edwards, Dane Tilse, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Sam Williams

Manly Sea Eagles:
Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo. Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Richie Fa’aoso, Jamie Buhrer, David Gower, George Rose, James Hasson

Raiders captains deny player revolt

Canberra leaders Terry Campese and David Shillington have quashed reports a player revolt led to the sacking of David Furner.

Furner became the first head coach to be sacked in the Raiders’ 32-year history on Tuesday.

Mixed messages have come out of the Raiders camp since, including that the axing occurred after a group of players expressed discontent to the club’s board about Furner’s decision to stand by troubled centre Blake Ferguson.

However club captain Campese labelled those allegations as false on a video put up on the club’s website.

Campese said while the players had gone down to the south coast to hold a players’ meeting on Tuesday night, they never got the chance to hold it as Furner was sacked earlier that day.

Campese didn’t elaborate on what the meeting was scheduled to discuss, but said Furner was aware of it.

“All these accusations that there was a nine-player revolt, or all these players confronted the board, that never happened,” Campese said.

“There’s been a lot of speculation over the last couple of days. The board will have their reasons.”

With Campese out injured with an eye injury, Shillington is standing in as a Raiders’ co-captain.

In the same video he labelled the media’s reporting of the sacking as disappointing.

“For it to focus on Blake Ferguson and a player revolt is unfair and untrue,” Shillington said.

“There’s been talk about a nine player meeting, and a player revolt.

“They aren’t the main reasons why it happened, there’s a whole lot of things that go into a football club.

“It’s a shame it’s been reported that way.”

Meanwhile Furner has told Fairfax media he was disappointed to be abruptly sacked three weeks before the finals given the club has been a huge part of his life.

“You have a lot of mixed emotions, but I’m a lot clearer today,” Furner said.

“I told my family this morning we’ve been through more.”

He also refused to back down from his decision to stand by wayward star Ferguson.

“I’ve always made decisions on what I thought was best for the team at the time,” Furner said.

“I’ve supported Fergo. Has it contributed? It could have, but I’m not going to point fingers.”

The Raiders will now turn their attention to Sunday’s must-win clash against Manly in Canberra under the guidance of interim coach Andrew Dunemann.

Dunneman will address media on Thursday morning.