Canberra Raiders fans should be optimistic for the 2027 season. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Canberra Raiders’ 2026 statistics are an interesting read, mainly because of the teams they defeated and the ones they succumbed to.
The majority of the Raiders’ 11 wins in 2026 came against clubs outside the top eight.
Victories over North Queensland and South Sydney were the exceptions, with the Raiders falling to every side in the top six: the Panthers, Roosters, Warriors, Newcastle, the Sharks and Dolphins.
The season finished on a high with a 50-30 victory over North Queensland in Townsville, prompting thoughts of what might have been as the Raiders finished outside the eight in 11th place.
In 2026, rival teams went into games more aware of the Raiders’ strengths after the 2025 season, and it was obvious they put more effort into stopping the likes of Strange and Weekes.
Ethan Strange should learn from the experience he gained through the 2026 season. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
For me, the Raiders always appeared to be playing catch-up following four losses in the first five rounds. It was always going to be hard to recover.
There was a glimmer of hope with four wins on the trot over the Dragons, Bulldogs, Souths and the Wests Tigers, but in the end the team fell short in the run home with the pressure of having to win every game.
The Raiders will already be looking to season 2027 after the disappointment of 2026. Photo: File.
There were reasons for the fluctuating form.
It could be argued that a new halves pairing of Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange would always take time to gel after Jamal Fogerty’s departure.
Strange was relatively quiet in 2026 with moments of brilliance following a breakout year in 2025, while Sanders’ game evolved as the season progressed.
The big talking point no doubt heading into next season will be the battle between Sanders and Coby Black for the number seven jersey after Black’s record-breaking debut in the final game of the regular season.
Injuries to players in key positions also proved crucial, with four back rowers on the sidelines at one stage following injuries to Martin, Young, Roddy and Nicholson.
With the back row one of the most vital units in the game, their absence for a lengthy period hurt the Raiders.
As did the lack of a genuine ball-playing lock similar to Yeo or Radley.
Jayden Brailey, Morgan Smithies and Daine Laurie filled that role through the season, with Laurie now the only one of the three still at the club.
Josh Papali’i battled injury and played limited minutes as a consequence. While he was on the field, he made an impact, but it was obvious his body couldn’t have taken much more punishment.
Joe Tapine has demonstrated his leadership throughout the last few seasons, including season 2026. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
For me, though, Simi Sasagi’s eight games out due to injury proved crucial. Despite suffering from a shoulder injury, his performance in the win over the Cowboys showed what the Raiders had been missing through his time away.
Sasagi has developed into one of the NRL’s top centres. Ricky Stuart deserves credit for getting Sasagi into shape and resurrecting his career.
There were times through the season when the Raiders appeared to be getting on top only to give away a penalty or lose possession, instantly taking the air out of their balloon.
Fans will be keen to see how the Raiders fill Papali’i’s shoes. It won’t be easy.
Joe Tapine has proven himself to be a great leader and he will again be required to fill that ‘go forward’ role. Ata Mariota has emerged as a genuine contender to fill the vacancy left by Papali’i, but the cupboard is looking bare beyond Tapine and Mariota.
The focus will be on whether Hudson Young accepts the Raiders’ three-year deal or heads to PNG in 2028. We all know his presence, among other things, does wonders for morale.
There should be optimism within the Raiders heading into 2027, with a team boasting one of the youngest and most exciting spines in the NRL, with Owen Pattie, Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Sanders/Coby Black and Ethan Strange.
They would all have learned plenty from the experience of the 2026 season.
