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.
