Ethan Sanders kicked a 30-metre field goal to secure the Raiders a 29-28 golden point win over the Sea Eagles, a result that matters because coach Ricky Stuart publicly questioned the early officiating. Saturday at 9: 14 p. m. ET, Stuart praised Sanders while lamenting a heavy early defensive toll on his side and the refereeing decisions.
Ethan Sanders’ 30-metre field goal decides 29-28 thriller
Sanders stepped up to slot the match winner from 30 metres, finishing a game that ended 29-28 in golden point for the Raiders. The kick followed a late Manly fightback that forced extra time, and Stuart singled out Sanders’ composure after the youngster “stepped out of his apprenticeship to announce himself as a star of the future for the Raiders in 2026. “
Nrl Live Scores track Raiders comeback from 14-0 hole to 28-14 lead
The Raiders overturned a 14-0 deficit to lead 28-14 before the Sea Eagles mounted a late rally led by former Raiders No. 7 Jamal Fogarty, which forced golden point. Match reports and nrl live scores show the swing in momentum: the Raiders fought back through the second half to reach the position that allowed Sanders the final opportunity to win the game.
Ricky Stuart fumes about early refereeing, praises Sanders under pressure
Stuart said his side was forced to make around 60 tackles before touching the ball, adding that the opposition had “65 tackles in a row in the first 15 minutes with six infringements, that we gave away apparently. ” He admitted his team “made it hard on our game there, but we fought our way back into it, ” and offered direct praise: “I don’t care how close it is as long as we win. “
Stuart also noted the personal pressure on Sanders, saying, “He had more pressure on him tonight than any other player on the field. ” When asked if momentum swings would be a regular feature under the new rules in 2026, Stuart replied, “I don’t know. Happens to us a lot. ” When pushed further by Jake Duke with the question, “Are you worried at all?” Stuart answered, “That’s not a question to me. “
The match narrative featured a late Manly charge led by Jamal Fogarty that erased the Raiders’ lead and forced golden point, then Sanders’ decisive 30-metre field goal to clinch the win for last year’s minor premiers. The scoreline—29-28—reflects both the Raiders’ comeback and the Sea Eagles’ late resilience.
More clarity on how the new rules will affect momentum and officiating calls is expected during the 2026 season; no further dates or times have been confirmed.
