Manly half Lachlan Croker scored a brace and, in his captain's absence, led the Sea Eagles to a 24-20 win at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

The Raiders scored a late try to give themselves a chance to pinch it, but couldn't get another in the final 54 seconds.

Both teams have their injury concerns, with Manly losing captain Daly Cherry-Evans early in the second half, while the Raiders were without star winger Jordan Rapana for 60 minutes.

Jorge Taufua and Api Koroisau both picked up calf problems.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart thought it wasn't a break, just rib cartilage, and Rapana could be OK next week.

Canberra centre Joey Leilua hurt his wrist, but it's not thought to be serious.

Cherry-Evans said he "felt something go" in his ankle in what could be a massive blow to both Manly and Queensland, given the No.7 was favourite to be selected as halfback and captain for the Maroons in the State of Origin series.

Manly dominated possession and had multiple repeat sets at the Raiders off the back of a 13-5 penalty count.

Stuart said he hadn't coached his players any differently in regards to the ruck, adding Manly had outplayed them.

"Considering the amount of penalties they got, that's not to say they weren't [penalties], I thought we did a pretty good job of being where we were defensively," he said.

"We didn't defend anywhere near as good as we have. There's been more things thrown at us than there was today.

"The consistent set after set probably hurt us with our defence, but I thought to be only 4-3 [down with the tries] considering the weight of penalties was not too bad to be where we were."

Croker had a dream return for the Sea Eagles.

He was a late inclusion, with Kane Elgey dropped, one year and one day after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament for the third time.

His efforts were especially vital following Cherry-Evans' early exit, with what Manly coach Des Hasler said was an ankle sprain.

Cherry-Evans will have scans on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury.

"It's encouraging he walked off so that's a favourable thing. Until we get it scanned we won't really know," Hasler said.

"He's worked particularly hard [Croker]. In a rehab situation, particularly his case, [with] three knee reconstructions.

"There's always going to be a few dark places, but he's backed himself and it's pretty pleasing to see him get back.

"But it's one game, I'm sure he wants to put 150 together."

Rapana hurt his ribs in a try-saving tackle on Taufua, one of a number the Raiders made throughout the game with both Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jack Wighton also getting in on the act.

Wighton hit the scoreboard himself, scoring a brace within three minutes as his impressive shift to five-eighth continued.

Manly prop Marty Taupau charged over to get the Sea Eagles on the board before Croker scored his first to give the Sea Eagles the momentum going into half-time.

Offloads became the Raiders' bane in the second half.

Croker crossed for his second and then winger Reuben Garrick went over to put the home side in control in the space of three minutes - despite losing Cherry-Evans.

Canberra threw everything they had at the Sea Eagles in final 10 minutes, with some nice John Bateman soccer skills leading to a Nicoll-Klokstad try with two minutes remaining, but they fell four points short.

It's just the Raiders' second loss of the season as they travel to Wagga Wagga to play Penrith next week, while Manly hosts Canterbury.

MANLY SEA EAGLES 24 (Lachlan Croker 2, Marty Taupau, Reuben Garrick tries; Daly Cherry-Evans 2, Garrick 2 goals) bt CANBERRA RAIDERS 20 (Jack Wighton 2, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad tries; Jarrod Croker 4 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referees: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee. Crowd: 10,706.