As part of a series profiling the expected Round 1 sides for all 17 NRL clubs in 2025, the Green Machine has had an overhaul in the national capital but a few pieces are still yet to fall into place.
As has been the case for several years, Canberra are tipped to be among the also-rans in the NRL, but as is the case in each and every one of those seasons, Ricky Stuart is determined to prove the critics wrong.
The veteran coach loves a siege mentality and with the Raiders one of the favourites to finish with the wooden spoon, Stuart wouldn’t have it any other way.
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They are clearly investing in youth in 2025, with only four members of the 2019 Grand Final team remaining in veteran prop Josh Papali’i, front-row partner Joseph Tapine, and bench forwards Corey Horsburgh and Emre Guler.
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Stuart has brought in three former NSW under 19 representatives in Ethan Sanders from Parramatta, Savelio Tamale from St George Illawarra and Myles Martin from Newcastle, in a bid to ensure Canberra are strong well into the future.
He has invested plenty of game time into the likes of Xavier Savage, Matt Timoko, Kaeo Weekes, Trey Mooney, Chevy Stewart and Ethan Strange in the past couple of seasons as part of the youth movement at the club.
The Raiders are one of four teams who will kick off the season in Las Vegas, and expect them to punch above their weight again in 2025 even though they are perhaps light on for experience and depth, particularly in the halves and out wide.
Who’s new?
Sanders is rated a potential halfback star of the future, but his path to first grade was blocked at Parramatta with Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown in his way, so the Raiders have presented him with an opportunity. He will compete with Ethan Strange to be Jamal Fogarty’s halves partner in 2025.
Tamale is a powerful centre who has played just one first-grade game at the Dragons in the final round last year against Canberra.
Centre is one of the positions where the Raiders are light on for depth, so he may be in the NRL ranks sooner than expected after leading the NSW Cup in run metres, post-contact metres, line breaks and tackle breaks.
Ethan Strange. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Martin is another player who has come through the NSW representative pathways, and the Raiders are replenishing their stocks with the likes of Papali’i entering the final phase of his career.
The Raiders have also picked up another rising star in young English forward Matty Nicholson. He has already represented his country despite being just 21, and the Raiders are hoping he follows in the tradition of John Bateman, Morgan Smithies, Elliott Whitehead as being a stellar import from the UK.
Who’s gone?
The Raiders have said farewell to a few old-stagers with Jordan Rapana finishing up his lengthy stint at the club when he fractured his cheekbone late last season, and Whitehead also relocating to the Super League. Rapana will play for Hull FC and Whitehead is lining up for Catalans along with former NSW winger Nick Cotric.
Back-up hooker Zac Woolford left for Huddersfield Giants, while utility back James Schiller has shifted to Newcastle.
Key spots to unlock?
Fullback looks like it will be Weekes’ position after he impressed there late last season, although winger Xavier Savage hopes to eventually switch to the No.1 jersey from the wing.
Seb Kris likely has his nose in front of Tamale to be Timoko’s centre partner and Strange is set to be in the No.6 jersey in Round 1, with Sanders forced to bide his time.
Fogarty is contracted until the end of the season with the club having an option on his services in 2026. If the young guns live up to expectations, the Raiders could tell their 31-year-old playmaker that he has become surplus to requirements.
The pack has plenty of experience. Corey Horsburgh is back in favour after nearly being shown the door last season, and with Nicholson coming to the club and Zac Hosking back after a long-term injury, Canberra’s going to be packing plenty of muscle up front.
Kiwi international Danny Levi sealed the hooker’s spot last year and Tom Starling is likely to resume his role as his back-up off the interchange.
Roar editor Christy Doran made the trip to Seattle with VisitSeattle.org, diving into the city’s electric sports vibe, outdoor adventures, and renowned food scene. Click here for his latest adventure in the Emerald City.
Round 1 predicted team
1 Kaeo Weekes
2 Xavier Savage
3 Matt Timoko
4 Seb Kris
5 Albert Hopoate
6 Ethan Strange
7 Jamal Fogarty
8 Josh Papali’i
9 Danny Levi
10 Joseph Tapine
11 Hudson Young
12 Zac Hosking
13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
14 Tom Starling
15 Corey Horsburgh
16 Matty Nicholson
17 Emre Guler
Other squad members: Ethan Sanders, Ata Mariota, Chevy Stewart, Corey Harawira-Naera, Michael Asomua, Myles Martin, Pasami Saulo, Savelio Tamale, Simi Sasagi, Trey Mooney, Vena Patuki-Case