A 21-year-old with just four NRL games to his name could hold the key to Canberra’s hopes of again shaking up the rugby league universe in 2026.
Tipped to be wooden spooners by most pundits this time last year, the Raiders got off to a flying start and kept winning … and winning.
The experts kept waiting for them to fall – but it didn’t happen until the final series after they produced a stunning season to claim the minor premiership.
However, that was with Jamal Fogarty at halfback and much to Ricky Stuart’s anger, he has taken the big dollars from Manly, leaving a gaping hole in the Green Machine.
Ethan Sanders, a promising halfback who was previously at the Eels, has now been designated as his replacement, and all eyes will be on him from day one.
He will have no better mentor than Stuart, one of the smartest halves of the modern era, but will take time to get accustomed to the intense pressure of guiding an NRL team around the paddock.
His halves partner Ethan Strange is one of the NRL’s best youngsters, but is more a runner than an organiser, leaving Sanders to steer the team around the paddock.
On the positive side, the Raiders have managed to retain the remainder of their Giltinan Shield-winning team and look a top four team if they have a good run with injury.
Kaeo Weekes has developed into one of the NRL’s elite fullbacks, Joseph Tapine is as good as any prop in the game on his day and hookers Tom Starling and Owen Pattie provide a great one-two punch.
The other new face who could force his way into the 17 is Panthers recruit Daine Laurie, whose versatility and strike power makes him an ideal No.14 option.
Canberra Raiders best 17
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Daine Laurie 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Morgan Smithies
