Manly have further enhanced their reputation as road warriors, with a stirring golden-point NRL win in Canberra maintaining their perfect away record for 2017.
Friday night's thrilling victory over Canberra at GIO Stadium gave Manly their third travelling scalp, including a round-three win against the Cowboys in Townsville - arguably the toughest trip in the competition.
While their win over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium only meant a trip over the Harbour Bridge, the Roosters are sitting in the top four after their first seven matches.
The only other teams with perfect home records are St George Illawarra, Melbourne and Cronulla - the top three sides on the ladder.
Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett may have uncovered an interesting but unfeasible way to extend their winning formula to their home patch.
"Maybe we should go into camp every game," Barrett joked.
Manly are making the most of their opportunities in tough away fixtures and showing they can compete with the NRL's heavyweights in the process.
"They enjoy spending time together," Barrett said.
"We can prepare well without any distractions when we are all together in a bit of a controlled environment. It works for us."
With the help of the crossbar, Sea Eagles centre Dylan Walker silenced a hostile crowd of mostly Raiders fans by slotting a 40-metre penalty goal in the first period of extra time.
The 22-year-old's heroics lifted Manly into the top eight but they won't be there at the end of the round if other results go against them.
"It was a huge effort to win down here (in Canberra) and a much-needed two points that keeps us in the mix," Barrett said.
They face another away test against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
Of more concern is their 1-4 home record, one they won't get a chance to improve any time soon with their next fixture at Lottoland not until June 4, coincidentally against the Raiders.
