Players celebrate a try in the Raiders’ convincing win against the Titans earlier this year. Photo: Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The sight of Kaeo Weekes scoring runaway tries or Savelio Tamale having a breakout season should be enough in itself to attract players to the Raiders.
The club’s surge to the top of the NRL ladder not only builds confidence within through a clear demonstration the program is working, but it also serves as an advertisement to outsiders of the club’s winning culture.
Players aren’t only attracted by money or location when deciding to sign with a rival club, you only need to look at the desire of players to move to Melbourne to play under coach Craig Bellamy, often for less money.
The Raiders have long held a desire to be a destination club where players believe they will become better, coupled with a desire to win a premiership.
Jack Wighton’s move to Souths for less money was reportedly driven by a desire to win a premiership and he believed the Rabbitohs were a better option to achieve this goal.
A couple of years ago the Raiders missed out on securing David Fifita after he elected to stay with the Gold Coast. He must be ruing that decision now.
What will become evident over the next couple of months is how big an attraction the success of the team is, along with the influence of players talking up how much they are enjoying playing under the coaching style of Ricky Stuart.
It comes with the Raiders in the market for an experienced half back with Jamal Fogarty heading to Manly.
There is speculation linking the club with North Queensland’s Jake Clifford for 2026, with the current form and style of Raiders’ play being an attraction in itself.
Of course it hasn’t always been that way.
In the 2014 season as Ricky Stuart looked to rebuild the playing roster, he was met with setback and after setback in his quest.
Ethan Strange, one of the Raiders’ young guns, playing against the Titans. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
James Tedesco, who had only played 25 NRL games at that stage, signed a lucrative three-year deal but reneged to stay with the Wests Tigers.
The Raiders pursued Kevin Proctor but he elected to stay with the Storm.
Michael Ennis and Josh Mansour were also reportedly targeted by Raiders’ recruiters, only to turn down Canberra’s big money offers.
Meanwhile, Anthony Milford rejected a significant contract upgrade to leave the Raiders and signed with the Brisbane Broncos.
Thankfully those days are in the rear vision mirror.
There is optimism that the tide has well and truly turned.
