Canberra leads the NRL, powered by Ethan Strange's hat-trick and strong middle forwards' performance.
Powered by Ethan Strange and the NRL's best platoon of middle forwards, Canberra have returned to the top of the ladder as they zero in on a first minor premiership in 35 years.
Strange bamboozled Daly Cherry-Evans and Manly's right edge defence, crossing for a hat-trick as the Raiders won 28-12, their tenth victory in 11 games at GIO Stadium this season.
Canberra's nine-game winning streak may have been burst by the Dragons last week, but the Green Machine left their rivals for the title with no doubt they will be there when the whips are cracking in September.
Josh Papali'i led the way up front and was ably supported by Joe Tapine, Corey Horsburgh and Ata Mariota, Canberra's big men relentless through the middle of the field.