Manly’s Dylan Walker has sealed a dramatic golden-point 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 on Friday 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 Cherry-Evans 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 of the night and two minutes later Walker sliced through the Raiders line with a superb run 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 Aidan Sezer, which sparked tempers on both sides.
The win elevated Manly in to the top eight and left both sides with 4-4 records after eight rounds. The Raiders are fifth.