Xavier Savage – now 23 – debuted in the NRL in round 15 in 2021. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Raiders have been forced to improvise and adjust their recruitment policy over the years as the club battles to attract big-name players.
It was far easier in the mid-to-late 1980s, with the mass recruitment of Queensland players prior to the formation of the Brisbane Broncos.
In recent times, the Raiders have adopted a new approach, recruiting younger players with the potential to develop over time, guided by some of the more experienced players on the team.
It has provided Ricky Stuart with an opportunity to put his imprint on players who are ripe for development.
The youth policy does have its pitfalls as they often take unnecessary risks associated with confidence, and lack patience and experience. But on the plus side, these same young players have provided the X-factor. They are capable of changing a game.
Ethan Strange – making waves at 20 years of age. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
What was witnessed on Sunday afternoon at Canberra Stadium in the 40-28 victory over the Dolphins, and the week prior against the Titans, is the result of the ‘youth policy’.
The Raiders, down 28-10 at halftime, changed the tempo in the second half. The ruck speed displayed after the break was almost unrecognisable from that displayed by the team in the first 40 minutes.
With one of the youngest backlines in the premiership this year, boasting just one player over the age of 30, that’d be 31-year-old Jamal Fogarty, the Raiders have looked like one of the fittest outfits in the competition. They are fast, they show flair, and they don’t give up.
Another factor is Ricky Stuart’s competitive spirit. It appears to have rubbed off on the younger players who refuse to concede, such is the confidence in their own ability.
Jamal Fogarty, the oldest player in the Raiders’ backline, leads by example. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The likes of Weekes, Strange, Tamale and Savage have become players who can turn a game.
It should not be forgotten that Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead’s will to win would have also impacted the younger players, in the same way as the current senior players seem to support their positive attitude.
The youth policy is paying dividends. The challenge for Stuart is to harness that youthful exuberance while at the same time ensuring the players don’t read too much of their own press.
And if the hot run continues, the Raiders will face another challenge in the form of player managers and predatory clubs.
