Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has long opposed pre-season trials, considering the length of the season-proper – seven gruelling months – and the risk of injuries.
Last year, the Raiders fielded a near full-strength lineup for the final trial against the Sharks. The Raiders went down heavily, 40-10, before bouncing back a couple of weeks later to hammer the Warriors 30-8 in the first round.
There are plenty of reasons why there may have been a turnaround, including a mindset that it is only a trial game with no premiership points lost or gained.
Another is that there is plenty of experimentation in trial games, with the seemingly constant subbing of players, and the risk of injury to key players always in the background.
But the importance of establishing combinations and momentum heading into the season make trials a necessary evil.
In the lead-up to this year’s pre-season trials, Ricky Stuart has indicated that a number of his star players won’t play in either of the two trials against the Storm on Friday (13 February) at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan, and the Sharks on 21 February in Gosford.
The likes of Joe Tapine and Hudson Young, you would think, will see limited time, if any minutes at all, given the elongated season last year with representative games.
While trials may not be on the agenda for the representative players, they are especially important for new players pressing their claims.
Daine Laurie, at 26 years of age, will be seeking to show the Raiders how he can benefit his new club in a range of backline positions.
Ethan Sanders will be out to hit the ground running when the premiership gets underway as he looks to lock down the number 7 jersey following the departure of Jamal Fogarty. Sanders and fellow young gun Coby Black will be battling it out for the half-back role, with Stuart indicating that Sanders will be given the first opportunity.
After seven games with the Dragons, outside back 23-year-old Sione Finau will be out to impress Stuart and put pressure on Sebastian Kris and Matt Timoko.
Twenty-nine-year-old hooker, Jayden Brailey, with 154 first games for the Sharks and Newcastle, will be out for game time to put himself in the mix alongside Tom Starling and Owen Pattie.
Chevy Stewart will no doubt get plenty of game time in the trials after the disappointment of 2025. Last season, he was left in the blocks by an exploding Kaeo Weekes.
Twenty-year-old Noah Martin is another hoping for plenty of minutes in the pre-season trials as he seeks to put pressure on Simi Sasagi and Matty Nicholson for a place in the 17.
A rule change for 2026 could also provide greater opportunities.
This season, the bench will be expanded to six players, but only four can be used during a game. This may create a strategic advantage for coaches as they decide which players to use from the bench during games.
With Fogarty the only player of significance who has left the side after last season, the selection of players forming the expanded bench will be watched with great interest.
