NRL: Harried Orford faces tough time against former team

Matt Orford. Photo / Getty Images

Even by Matt Orford's standards it's been a tough week and the pressure is still on as the Canberra halfback returns to Brookvale Oval tonight for the first time since 2008.

The Raiders' seventh straight loss, a 49-12 thrashing by the Wests Tigers, was compounded by vandals attacking Orford's Audi.

As usual, the 33-year-old former Dally M Medal winner has attracted most of the criticism but his teammates are sticking by him as he goes up against the Sea Eagles - the club he steered to a premiership three seasons ago.

"He's not going to give up, he's not that kind of bloke," said forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, who will miss up to a month with a fractured cheekbone.

"I've only known him for a short while but that's one thing that's become pretty clear, that he's willing to fight.

"Anyone who watched the game [against the Tigers], anyone who knows anything about rugby league, would know that he had a good game.

"We were under the pump there and he kept fighting the whole time and that sort of effort doesn't go unnoticed. Obviously for some people it does but, to his teammates, it doesn't go unnoticed."

An eighth consecutive loss would equal Canberra's worst losing streak - in 1985-86 - but it would be the first time they had reached that low in a single season.

Before the season began, many fancied the Raiders would threaten for the premiership and the Sea Eagles are wary, particularly as Canberra made a comeback last year with a 24-22 win at Brookvale.

"It's always dangerous playing a side when they're due for a win," said Manly lock Glenn Stewart.

Sea Eagles forwards Anthony Watmough (shoulder, ankle) and Jason King (ribs) have good chances of playing but fullback Brett Stewart is in doubt because of hamstring problems.

"They're very fiddly muscles and things you can't rush back from," said Glenn Stewart of his brother's injury.

Will Hopoate, Kieran Foran and Glenn Stewart need to back up from Friday night's representative matches.

Aside from Learoyd-Lahrs, the rest of the Raiders rep contingent of Josh Dugan, Joel Thompson and Bronson Harrison is expected to play.

"We're under no illusions of what we've got to do," Learoyd-Lahrs said.

"We'll be fine, I just hope the fans have a bit of patience with us and stick by us because we'll turn the corner soon." AAP