NRL Round 12 Preview - Raiders v Sea Eagles @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - The Sea Eagles will be shooting for three straight victories as they travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders in the battle of two desperate sides. The Raiders were in position to win once more against the Dragons, but their final 15 minutes let them down as they lost 23-16, losing their 6th game of the season by 8 points or less. The Sea Eagles stunned the Storm 24-4, who were missing Cameron Smith, with a fantastic display as they got back to 4-7 and now just two games outside the Top 8 after their season looked to be imploding just a short time ago.
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders will be missing one of their big men with Joe Tapine suspended, and this  has caused a reshuffle with Josh Papalii shifting to the edge and Sia Soliolai into the middle at lock. Dynamos Lui moves to prop and Liam Knight added to the bench.
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - Trent Hodkinson’s mid-season move to Manly has worked a treat with him coming into  start at five-eight for Dylan Walker who fractured his eye socket last week. Lewis Brown starts at hooker for Apisai Koroisau who is suspended as part of that brawl last week. Winger Jorge Taufua returns from a long lay-off in place of Matt Wright, who drops to the bench.
 
Verdict -  Raiders by 1-8 in a high scoring game

Hard to tip a winner with much confidence here, however I will give the Raiders the edge, given this is a 6pm home game and they are playing a Manly side playing their third straight game on the road. The only thing I am confident of here is there will be plenty of points in this game, and I expect both teams to score over 22 points, with an open and entertaining game throughout with plenty of ball movement and line breaks. You would think eventually the Raiders have to win a close one and maybe they can do it here.