Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Tips and Prediction
Manly get a huge Round 1 opportunity at home and the Sea Eagles look well placed to take it.
With key forwards back from injury and Tom Trbojevic entering the season as captain, Manly should have the edge at 4 Pines. Canberra were outstanding last year but losing Jamal Fogarty leaves a big question around how their young halves manage games early in the season.
How this game shapes up
Manly’s biggest problem last season was availability. Their pack was constantly disrupted and Turbo rarely had a clean run with injury.
That looks very different heading into 2026. Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau’atu are both back, Jake Trbojevic anchors the middle and Jamal Fogarty arrives to steer the team around after replacing Daly Cherry-Evans.
Canberra were the story of 2025, charging to the minor premiership behind a powerful forward pack and exciting young backs.
But they also lived on the edge. The Raiders went 8-1 in games decided by seven points or less and that kind of run rarely repeats. With Fogarty gone, the pressure now falls on Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange to control tight games.
Best Bets
Manly Sea Eagles to Win
Manly look far healthier than the side that limped through last season and they have been strong at 4 Pines. With Fogarty now guiding their attack and the pack back to full strength, they look well placed to start the season with a win.
Tom Trbojevic Anytime Tryscorer
Turbo has an outstanding record against Canberra with nine tries in his last six matches against the Raiders. If Manly generate attacking momentum, he is the player most likely to finish it.
What could go wrong?
Canberra’s forward pack remains elite and if they win the middle through Tapine, Papalii and Young, they can turn this into a grinding contest.
And if the Raiders’ young halves handle the pressure and control field position, this could easily become another tight game decided late.