The 2025 Canberra Raiders team will see a number of new faces in 2026 to create depth and pressure for positions on the field. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
A month ago, following the departure of Jamal Fogarty to Manly, Ethan Sanders probably felt as though he had a ‘rails run’ for the Raiders’ number seven jersey for 2026.
Twenty-one-year-old Sanders joined the Raiders from Parramatta at the end of the 2024 season as part of a succession plan with Fogarty in the twilight of his playing career.
The Raiders had hoped Fogarty would be around for one more season, but the lure of a two-year deal from the Sea Eagles proved to be impossible to ignore.
The departure of Adam Cook to the UK Super League further depleted the Raiders’ halfback ranks, prompting the signing of young Broncos playmaker Coby Black.
Teenager Black played 21 games for the South Logan Magpies and starred for the Queensland under-19 Origin side this year.
He was also seen as the long-term successor to Adam Reynolds at the Broncos, but Brisbane’s signing of Jonah Pezet from 2027 and young Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy obviously created doubt in the mind of Black.
Sensing there were greater opportunities with the Raiders, Black signed a two-year deal with Canberra from 2027.
The arrival of Duffy this season, and in the knowledge that there was a plethora of halfbacks at the Broncos next season with Reynolds, Duffy, Mam and Hunt all ahead of him in the pecking order, Black sought a release from Brisbane a year earlier.
The Raiders opened the door for his potential arrival in 2026 by releasing outside back Manaia Waitere from the 30-player squad to the Melbourne Storm.
With Black now joining the Raiders a season earlier than expected, the deal with Canberra has become a three-year contract.
The battle for the starting halfback role with the Raiders has suddenly lifted a notch with Black joining the club last week for pre-season training.
Ricky Stuart has reportedly indicated that Sanders will be given the first opportunity at number seven in 2026, but Black will no doubt be doing all he can to impress.
Jamal Fogarty during the 2025 season. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Raiders have had mixed results with halfbacks since the Stuart era, with the club seemingly in a continuous search for a playmaker of that calibre.
Todd Carney, George Williams and Jamal Fogarty were the only ones who came close.
There were plenty on the list behind them: McLinden, Sezer, McFadden, Dobson, Orford, McCrone, Milford, Cornish, Austin and Monaghan.
Depth is the key, and no position is more critical than halfback, which is why the signing of Black is so essential.
It also continues the Raiders trend of signing young up-and-coming players rather than paying over the odds for big names.
Kaeo Weekes had an incredible season in 2025. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The strategy has paid off with Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes falling into that category.
The recruitment of young Dragons centre Sione Finau is an indication that Stuart is looking to put some pressure on Timoko and Kris, with another recruit, Dane Laurie, who can play multiple positions in the backline.
Another interesting dimension will be the mindset of Chevy Stewart, who showed plenty of promise but appeared to drop out of favour with the emergence of Weekes.
It was originally thought he would be heading elsewhere for opportunities, but that didn’t materialise, and Stewart spent part of the off-season with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri in a bid to add speed to his arsenal.
There is plenty of depth now at hooker with Tom Starling, Owen Pattie and new recruit Jayden Brailey competing for two places in the match day 17.
Across the squad, there are players capable of playing in multiple positions. Horsburgh can play prop or lock; Sasagi can play as an edge forward or inside back; Tamale can play centre or wing.
Versatility and depth will be crucial as the game evolves.
