Canberra are well aware of how dangerous Manly can be, even without Dylan Walker and Api Koroisau.
Manly smashed the Raiders in round four, with coach Ricky Stuart blasting his players as “soft” after the game.
They have an opportunity to get one back when the Sea Eagles travel to GIO Stadium on Friday night.
That match was a turning point for both clubs as the Raiders won four of their next five games while the Sea Eagles tumbled as a result of off-field dramas.
But Trent Barrett’s Sea Eagles are back in the hunt following memorable wins against Brisbane and Melbourne.
Both teams have 4-7 records and are already sitting two games outside of the top-eight.
Canberra skipper Jarrod Croker says Stuart’s infamous spray had the desire affect, awakening them from a 0-4 start by beating Canterbury the following week.
“We got a bit of kick up the backside after that one,” Croker said on Thursday.
“It was pretty obvious from the start of the game last time that we had no linespeed and we weren’t working together.”
Manly’s victory over the Storm had a price, with Walker suffering a fractured eye socket from being punched by Curtis Scott and Koroisau copping a one-game suspension for retaliating.
That has led to Trent Hodkinson earning his first start since returning to the club from Cronulla last week.
Canberra have also been hit by suspension with Joe Tapine’s absence causing a reshuffle.
Josh Papalii shifts to second row, Sia Soliola moves to lock and Dunamis Lui becomes starting prop.
Croker said limiting the influence of Tom and Jake Trbojevic would set the game up.
“There’s not many more dangerous than the Trbojevic brothers, especially the way they combine and play with each other” Croker said.
STATS THAT MATTER
– Canberra have been level or ahead after 65 minutes in five of their seven losses this season.
– Manly’s Tom Trbojevic has seven tries in five matches against the Raiders – his highest tally and best strike-rate against any NRL team.
– Manly has won 15 of 20 matches against Canberra since 2005.
