Ethan Sanders excelled in the Raiders' 40-16 win, scoring 16 points and earning praise despite previous criticism, similar to Nathan Cleary's experiences.
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has mounted a stern defence following a career-best performance from his halfback Ethan Sanders, saying the 22-year-old has, like Origin superstar Nathan Cleary, been unfairly maligned by pundits.
Sanders shone during the Raiders' 40-16 trouncing of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday, scoring 16 points and posting four try assists in the strongest performance of his 21-game career.
That included an impressive cross-field kick to land second-rower Zac Hosking the first of a hat-trick of tries, and a grubber kick to the in-goal for Simi Sasagi to put the Green Machine 36 points in front. He also slotted over five out of six attempted conversions and three penalties.