Ricky Stuart expressed frustration after his team was forced to make nearly 60 tackles before even having possession of the ball, yet he gave credit to young halfback Ethan Sanders for kicking the decisive goal in the Raiders' dramatic 29-28 golden point victory.
Initially trailing 14-0, the Raiders managed to rally and take a commanding lead of 28-14. However, the game took a turn as a determined Manly team, led by former Raiders No.7 Jamal Fogarty, clawed back to force extra time.
In the critical moment, Sanders showcased his skill by successfully converting a 30-metre field goal, clinching the breathtaking victory for last year's minor premiers.
"I don't care how close it is as long as we win," Stuart remarked, emphasizing his focus on the result.
He further elaborated, "It was always about possession and I think they had 65 tackles in a row in the first 15 minutes with six infringements, that we gave away apparently."
Despite the challenges, the team's resilience shone through, demonstrating their determination in a tightly contested match.