Joseph Tapine is slowly but surely developing into one of the most accomplished captains in the NRL. The tall prop was handed the reins this year by Ricky Stuart and has embraced the role as the Green Machine has charged into the top four. Tapine topped the tackle count for both teams in a tough, slogging game against the Warriors in awful conditions in Auckland. But more than that, he ensured his team kept its cool despite losing two men to the sin bin to finish with an invaluable two points.
Corey Horsburgh is playing as well as any front-rower in the league and is forcing Billy Slater's hand to pick him for Origin I. The red-haired firebrand was considered too hot-headed to play big time footy in the past and has played just one Origin to date despite his undoubted ability. But Ricky Stuart has worked hard on Big Red's discipline - after the pair had a much publicised falling out - and both are on the same page now. Horsburgh was outstanding as the Raiders came back from a 28-10 half time deficit to stun the Dolphins 40-28 on Sunday and his form is a big reason why the Green Machine is top four material.
Canberra are flying high and have a special kid coming through their ranks in the versatile Ethan Alaia. The 19-year-old, who is holding his own against grown men in the NSW Cup, can play half, five-eighth, hooker and fullback and has a big fan in Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. Canberra think so highly of the kid who played in the NRL trial against Penrith a few months back that they have extended him until the end of 2028. Alaia, who has Samoan ancestry, is seen as a perfect number 14 and could force his way into the Raiders top 30 next season. "He is one to watch for sure," his manager Mick Chebi told Wide World of Sports.
The Canberra Raiders haven't won a comp since big Mal Meninga's final game way back in 1994 but have assembled a squad that looks capable of going all the way this season. With Penrith all but out of play, it's an open comp and the Raiders have a team that, on their day, can tick all the boxes. They put half a century of points on the Eels in horribly hot and humid conditions in Darwin on Saturday night and are one of the few teams that looks capable of worrying the Storm. Their forwards, led by Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young, are aggressive and talented and Englishman Matty Nicholson gets better by the game. Halfback Jamal Fogarty isn't a world-beater but has a smart football brain and a superb kicking game and his match management is first class. Out wide they have tryscoring aces like Seb Kris, Kaeo Weekes, Matt Timoko and Xavier Savage while five-eighth Ethan Strange is a real jack in the box.
Manly's search for a halfback to replace Daly Cherry-Evans may have already begun. According to 9News Sydney's Michael Chammas, the club have been interested in luring Canberra playmaker Jamal Fogarty to the club since late last year. Fogarty has a mutual option in his contract for next year in the nation's capital, which is worth approximately $650,000. "They've had their sights on Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty as early as last November to replace their captain," Chammas said on Wednesday night. "Sea Eagles have identified Fogarty as the ideal halves partner for Luke Brooks to replace Cherry-Evans when he leaves. "Complicating the matter is that Fogarty has an option in his contract with the Raiders, that they can take up and lock him down by round six. "If they don't do so, he will become a free agent for Manly to begin official negotiations." At 31 years of age, Fogarty is entering his prime years as a halfback and has started the season well for the Raiders, but the club have youngsters Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders on their books long-term. Strange has partnered Fogarty since his arrival at the Green Machine last year, while the highly-touted Sanders moved from Parramatta in the off-season. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the halfback's management requested permission to negotiate with rival clubs last year, but were knocked back by Canberra. Ricky Stuart will reportedly fly to Queensland after the side's round five game to discuss Fogarty's future with player agent Chris Orr. At this stage, neither the Sea Eagles or Raiders have confirmed the reports.
LAS VEGAS: The Warriors are preparing themselves for a classic Ricky Stuart ambush when their season kicks off in Vegas on Sunday (AEDT). The Kiwi team are hot favourites in the eyes of both the bookies and the punters for the huge season opener in Sin City, with little love for Canberra. But Stuart has been in this position many times before and Warriors coach Andrew Webster has warned his players that the ambush is a big danger. "I played for six seasons in Canberra so you don't need to tell me how they thrive in these situations," star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad told Wide World of Sports. "They love been written off and having the underdog tag - it bonds them and they come out and lift their game. We have to stop that from happening." Webster began his NRL coaching career under Stuart at Parramatta and knows his team is in for a torrid afternoon at Allegiant Stadium. "Ricky is a good man and a fine coach and he knows how to get his boys firing in games like this ... it is a danger game for us, no question about it," Webster said. "We have to go in with the right attitude and can't afford to let them get on top early."
Rookie back-rower Noah Martin may have secured himself a surprise ticket to Vegas with his performance in Canberra's 22-16 win over Penrith on Saturday night. A 19-year-old from Lismore, Martin, sporting a flying mullet, split the Panthers defence with an eye-catching 20 metre solo try to seal a deserved Canberra win. A NSW under 19 representative against Queensland last season, Martin also played in the trials in 2024 - and again scored a try. Martin probably won't make the Raiders' 17-man team for Vegas, but could get a trip to gain experience and train alongside the big boys. The Raiders rate the well-built youngster among their best prospects and he is likely to make his NRL debut at some stage of the year. Hooker Owen Pattie was another to stand out, bagging two tries in three minutes to turn the game in pouring rain.
Unhappy forward Francis Molo's future with the Dragons is likely to be decided at a meeting with club officials on Friday. Molo walked out on the Dragons last week and the situation has remained a stalemate, with the former State of Origin forward training on his own and his fate in limbo. But with the Dragons signing Raiders forward Emre Guler this week, it appears Molo will almost certainly be on the move after Friday's showdown with the club. Several clubs have expressed interest in Molo and he would be a more than handy pick-up so close to the start of the new season.
Rugby league is a ruthless sport on and off the field - but Emre Guler's move from the Raiders to the Dragons showed that the game still has a heart. Canberra wanted to keep Guler - a tough forward who did a good job holding up the middle and was under contract for the coming season. But Wide World of Sports has learned that Guler was faced with a delicate family situation and wanted to move to a Sydney club on compassionate grounds. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and chief executive Don Furner weighed up the situation - and decided to allow Guler to walk. The 27-year-old, who represented the Prime Minister's XIII in 2023, had been in secret negotiations with several Sydney clubs before finally coming to terms with the Red V. Guler has joined the club effective immediately, ending a seven-year career as a Raider. His signing is a massive boost after the club battled to hold onto former State of Origin enforcer Francis Molo, who is seeking a release from the joint venture. The big forward will be a handy gain for the Dragons alongside fellow signings Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias.
Canberra have picked up a good prospect in Knights SG Ball captain Myles Martin for next season. The 20-year-old was a standout for NSW under 19s in 2023 and was in hot demand before signing a three-year deal with the Raiders recently. And while he will be in unknown territory when he makes the move, he will have plenty of familiar faces. Young Raiders Chevy Stewart, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Savelio Tamale and Jake Clydsdale were all members of the same NSW under 19 team and will ensure Martin settles in well and is right at home in his new surroundings.
The Raiders' strength in recent years is proving their weakness as they move into the danger zone of missing the finals. GIO Stadium, the Viking Clap and the bitter cold have made the Raiders' home ground a fortress under Ricky Stuart. But something has gone wrong in recent games - the Green Machine have conceded 118 points in their last three games at home. Add to that four losses from their last seven matches and the Raiders have clearly lost their way. They were booed from the field by their loyal fans at halftime against the Cowboys on Friday night, down 22-0. They had a bit more of a go in the second half to make the final scoreline 34-16 - but that may have been a case of the Cowboys taking their foot off the pedal. With three byes still to come and a favourable draw, the men from far North Queensland are suddenly looking a real chance of finals footy.
Ricky Stuart will remain as coach of the Canberra Raiders until the end of 2029, the club has announced. The deal comes only three weeks after Stuart coached his 500th NRL game – more than 250 of those have been at the helm of the Raiders. The deal will see him coach the Green Machine beyond his 60th birthday. In a statement released on Wednesday morning, chairman Dennis Richardson said Stuart's re-signing gave the club "certainty and direction". "The Raiders are in the process of moving through a significant transition, with one of the youngest playing squads in the NRL and we see Ricky as a central part of that transition," he said. "His values and character have been an important ingredient in the attraction of the young talent we've been able to bring to the club in recent times." "His re-signing until the end of the decade provides continuity and certainty for a playing group which we believe has the potential to deliver the ultimate prize in the coming years." "As everyone knows, Ricky is very much a part of the Canberra, Queanbeyan and regional community and his commitment and passion for the green machine is legendary." Stuart's only coaching premiership came in his debut season with the Roosters in 2002. He led the Raiders to the infamous 2019 grand final loss against the Chooks. Stuart will coach the Raiders for the 258th time against the Bulldogs this weekend. He has won 132 matches and lost 123 with two draws at the club.
Most clubs already have an established spine for 2024 - but the Raiders are a different beast with the season kick-off just weeks away. Ricky Stuart has plenty of options - and potential headaches - as he attempts to make back-to-back finals series. The key fullback spot is up for grabs, with both Xavier Savage and Seb Kris vying for the No.1 jumper. Then there's the giant hole at five-eighth following Jack Wighton's departure to Souths, with Manly recruit Kaeo Weekes the early favourite but no certainty to start alongside Jamal Fogarty. Move on to hooker and Stuart has three contenders - Zac Woolford, Danny Levi and Tom Starling. On paper it's not looking among the elite spines in the NRL and the Raiders could be in for a long winter unless these guys all play above themselves. While the spine will often win or lose games, the Raiders' strength lies in other positions on the field. Utility back Jordan Rapana remains one of the game's most under-rated finishers, Matt Timoko was as good as any centre in the NRL last season and Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii give great go-forward. It's an experienced squad and if the Raiders can win 75 per cent of their home games - which they are capable of doing - they are well on their way to finals footy once again.
The Raiders have lost more than 600 games of top grade experience for 2024… and replaced it with very little.And that shapes as something of a red flag for the club as it attempts to replicate last season's feat of making the finals.Granted, Jarrod Croker (307 games - retired) probably hung up his boots at the right time and Matt Frawley (75 - Leeds Rhinos) wasn't a regular top grader, but the big loss is marquee player Jack Wighton (242 - Rabbitohs).The Raiders haven't come up with a signing capable of replacing Wighton, whose class and ability to shine in the big games allowed the Raiders to sneak into eighth spot last season with a late burst of wins.Manly recruit Kaeo Weekes is a promising kid but not ready for a starting spot in a long NRL season.Replacing Wighton as five-eighth and playmaker shapes as Ricky Stuart's biggest headache coming into the new season - and if he can't find the right man, the Raiders will struggle to play finals football in 2024.On the plus side, the Raiders have a formidable pack with the likes of Hudson Young, Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine, Corey Horsburgh, Corey Harawira-Naera and Elliott Whitehead giving them plenty of fire power up front.Young centre Matt Timoko was one of the big improvers of 2023 and shone in the Pacific Cup final rout of the Aussies in a performance that will boost his confidence.Jamal Fogarty is a cool head at half but not the kind of player who grabs a game by the throat and without Wighton by his side, he'll be under massive pressure to create chances for his outside men.
Ricky Stuart's Raiders scraped home against the Wests Tigers yet the Canberra coach had some stern words for the naysayers over his decision to rest skipper Jarrod Croker.Stuart took aim at some of the officiating in the 20-19 win, which was decided by a penalty goal late when Tigers second-rower Isaiah Papali'i crashed into halfback Jamal Foggarty's legs after he attempted to lock up the scores with a field goal in the dying minutes.However, the Raiders coach was more frustrated by some of the noise surrounding his decision to rest Croker for the game to ensure the Green Machine legend would play his 300th NRL game in Canberra next week.Stuart could not contain his frustration when asked if his side missed their captain against the Tigers.
Sebastian Kris' emergence as a top class fullback has proved a godsend for Ricky Stuart's Raiders in 2023.With the consistent Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad quitting the club for the Warriors over the summer and his replacement Xavier Savage missing the early rounds through injury, Stuart needed to find a fullback in a hurry.He decided to gamble on specialist winger/centre Kris - and it has been a masterstroke.Kris has been returning Dylan Edwards-like running metres, averaging over 150 a game and returning a mammoth 247 in the golden point win over the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon.Kris notched a try as well and saved several dangerous situation in defence in another fine all-round display.
Sebastian Kris went into the Raiders' clash against the Dragons as a man under the blowtorch.Kris knew his position in the Raiders' team was in jeopardy, with the highly-rated Xavier Savage making his return from a broken jaw in NSW Cup in the game immediately beforehand.But Kris gave coach Ricky Stuart a pleasant selection headache with a top-shelf display in the 20-14 defeat of the Dragons.Kris scored a try, ran for 185m and was safe under pressure in defence.The way he played, it will be very hard for Stuart to drop or move him from the key fullback position next week.
The Raiders' engine room is as good as any in the game when they are all firing - but on Friday night against the Panthers they were way off the pace.The Panthers tore the Green Machine to shreds up the middle as they charged to a 53-12 win.Biggest worry for Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is that five of his more experienced and reliable forwards - Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Elliott Whitehead, Corey Harawira-Naera and Tom Starling - missed a staggering 30 tackles between them.I'm tipping Ricky will have the tackling bags back out at training this week!
