Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders NRL Betting Tips - Manly backed for narrow Round 1 win
The NRL 2026 season opener features the Manly Sea Eagles against the Canberra Raiders. Star players such as Jake Trbojevic, Taniela Paseka, and Tom Trbojevic strengthen Manly's lineup as they aim for an improved season, reflecting their reliance on a consistent performance. Meanwhile, the Raiders, who had a rollercoaster last season, are determined to bounce back despite previous setbacks. The match promises high excitement with Trbojevic's return likely to play a pivotal role. Both teams bring strategic changes and potential surprises to captivate rugby league fans.
- Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders predictions for Saturday's NRL R1 game
- Sea Eagles aim for a strong start with key players returning
- Raiders look to replicate last season’s success despite setbacks
- Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Preview
- Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Head To Head
- Manly Sea Eagles Looking For Consistency In 2026
- Manly Sea Eagles Team News & Team List
- Canberra Raiders Bid To Repeat 2025 Form
- Canberra Raiders Team News & Team List
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Preview
Manly start the season with key forwards Jake Trbojevic, Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau'atu are all back from injury, and Tom Trbojevic set to go. At home with a strong squad, the Sea Eagles should be tough to beat once again.
- Sea Eagles have won 3 of the last 5 meetings
- Sea Eagles have won their last 3 Round 1 games
- Raiders lost 2 of their last 3 away games in 2025
- Sea Eagles have won 5 of their last 6 games at 4 Pines
- Raiders were involved in 15 games last season that were decided by a 1-12 margin
- Tom Trbojevic has scored 9 tries in his last 6 games vs Raiders
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Head To Head
Not much has separated these sides in recent times, splitting the last 10 meetings at five wins apiece. Manly were dominant 40-12 winners at 4 Pines in Round 3 last year before the Raiders returned serve with a 28-12 victory at GIO in Round 23.
Reuben Garrick absolutely tore up Canberra's suspect right-edge defence in Round 3, scoring four tries.
Manly Sea Eagles Looking For Consistency In 2026
It was another inconsistent season for Manly in 2025 - they went 12-12 to finish the year in 10th spot on the ladder.
Former Manly playmaker Kieran Foran also says Trbojevic is in the best shape he's seen him coming into 2026 as the club's new captain following the departure of DCE.
Their forward pack was decimated by injuries throughout the campaign, while superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic continued to be plagued by niggling injuries.
However, there's positive signs at Brookie - Taniela Paseka is back after barely featuring last year and the barnstorming Haumole Olakau'atu has also fully recovered from surgery.
Former Manly playmaker Kieran Foran also says Trbojevic is in the best shape he's seen him coming into 2026 as the club's new captain following the departure of DCE.
"He's flying at the moment. He's had a huge preseason, he's in tip-top shape," Foran said on the Matty & Cronk podcast.
"I think getting the captaincy has taken him to a whole new level. He looks as good as I've ever seen him."
Manly Sea Eagles Team News & Team List
Paseka plays his first game since Round 3, while Olakau'atu is good to go after a shoulder reconstruction.
Fogarty fills the boots of DCE in the halves alongside Luke Brooks, with Tommy Turbo starting at fullback as the new captain.
Kobe Hetherington makes his Manly debut off the bench after winning a premiership with the Broncos last year.
Manly Sea Eagles Team List
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
14. Joey Walsh
15. Kobe Hetherington
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Nathan Brown
Reserves
18. Clayton Faulalo
19. Brandon Wakeham
20. Corey Waddell
21. Blake Wilson
22. Paul Bryan
Canberra Raiders Bid To Repeat 2025 Form
It was a dream season for Raiders fans in 2025, but it did end on a rather sour note as the Green Machine were bounced from the finals in straight sets.
Canberra suffered a shock loss to Cronulla at home before blowing a huge lead as Reece Walsh carved them up and inspired the Broncos to one of the biggest comebacks in finals history.
How the Raiders bounce back from that disappointment remains to be seen. It won't be easy, but Ricky Stuart has seen it all and will have them ready to go.
Canberra's primary strength remains their forward pack, led by Jo Tapine, Josh Papalii and Hudson Young.
Canberra Raiders Team News & Team List
Ethan Sanders takes the halfback role and will play just his fifth NRL game, partnering Ethan Strange, who enjoyed an outstanding breakout year that saw him feature on the Kangaroos' tour of England.
Reserves
Simi Sasagi gets a start at centre in place of Matt Timoko, who is nursing a foot injury. Former Knight Jayden Brailey also makes his club debut off the pine.
Canberra Raiders Team List
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Simi Sasagi
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Josh Papali’i
9. Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Noah Martin
13. Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Zac Hosking
16. Ata Mariota
17. Morgan Smithies
Reserves
18. Daine Laurie
19. Jed Stuart
20. Matt Nicholson
21. Matthew Timoko
22. Owen Pattie
Verdict
Tommy Trbojevic is backed to score and inspire Manly to a first-up home win over the reigning minor premiers.
Sea Eagles Win
Match Result
@10/11 - 3 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Sea Eagles 1-12
Margin
@9/4 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Tom Trbojevic
Anytime Tryscorer
@17/11 - 2 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Tom Trbojevic
First Tryscorer
@23/2 - 1 Unit
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
06 June 2026
- VALORANT Masters London 2026 -
- Esports
10 June 2026
- Volleyball Nations League 2026 -
- Volleyball
11 June 2026
- Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026 -
- Esports
Load More
Manly Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders
Today's Acca Tips
-
Soccer tips
-
Horse Racing tips
