Ricky Stuart is pointing at Elliott Whitehead as an example of Canberra’s fighting spirit after the veteran back-rower helped the Raiders overcome a 20-point deficit and pip Manly in an 26-24 NRL win.
The English forward was the impetus for Canberra’s stunning turnaround from 20-0 down with 30 minutes gone at Brookvale Oval on Friday, assisting the Raiders' first try of the evening to spark their fightback.
But it was Whitehead’s two tries after halftime - along with his dogged work in defence - that proved crucial for the Raiders and led them to an unlikely victory.
Canberra didn’t lead until the 77th minute when Hudson Young pounced on a Ethan Strange kick to wrap up win and move into the top eight.
It was a much-needed result for Stuart’s young charges, who were battered 40-0 at home to Cronulla last week and could have fallen to another heavy loss.
“That’s the Raiders DNA. How we performed last week wasn’t us and that was one hell of a win," Stuart said.
“Ask the boys what we spoke about at halftime and there was no way we were out of that game.
“When I walked out of that shed at halftime I knew we would have a chance to be in this game at the end.
“Elliott played one of his best games I’ve seen him play and it’s not just two tries; it’s leadership, his contributions in meetings this week, he was massive this week - and those boys grow around that.”
Canberra were in all sorts through the opening half an hour with a strong home crowd on a rain-soaked night expecting the young Raiders to be put to the sword.
It looked like it was heading that way through the first half when Tom Trbojevic, Tommy Talau, Daly Cherry-Evans and Reuben Garrick put Manly ahead with some eye-catching play.
But things then began to unravel for Manly.
Garrick’s goalkicking - he kicked just two of five attempts on Friday - meant Canberra had a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.
Whitehead set up Kaeo Weekes after picking up a loose ball and sending the halfback over against his former club.
While Manly drew first blood through Garrick, a Weekes inspired Canberra outfit continued to fight their way back.
Whitehead crashed over from close range before scooping up a knock-on and racing in to score.
Weekes set up Nick Cotric with a kick in behind the Manly defence to move the Raiders within two points of the lead, before Young touched down to complete the comeback and snatch a Canberra win.
“We’re up 20-0 and we just didn’t have a hard enough edge to finish the job,” said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“They (Raiders) got what they deserved, they were full of effort.
“We should have put that game away.
“We’re in a cluster of teams where anybody can beat anyone on any day and to break out of that we need to finish off games like that.”
