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Raiders rattle Panthers in the rain | 02:26
Despite finishing outside the top eight, the Raiders lost no admirers.
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Ricky Stuart’s gritty outfit exceeded expectations everywhere in 2024, finishing ninth on points differential to just miss the eight even though they were a popular pick for the wooden spoon.
Now, the likes of rising stars Ethan Strange, Kaeo Weekes and Xavier Savage have another year and pre-season under the belt, meaning this Raiders team should be much more formidable of an opponent in 2025.
In addition to their swath of young talent in the backline, the Raiders will again roll out one of the NRL’s most fearsome forward packs.
Josh Papali’i has been a mainstay of the Raiders engine room since 2011. Entering season No. 15 at the top level, he knows he is close to the end of his distinguished career, but the star prop has no plans to pull the curtain down just yet.
“I’m taking it year by year. My body still feels nice and fresh and nice and young,” Papali’i told foxsports.com.au.
As you’d expect, Papali’i’s usage went down last year in terms of minutes per game, but he still recorded an average of 106 running metres per contest from 23 appearances in 2024.
“In my position, you don’t really need to move sideways that much,” he quipped.
“My body is feeling good. I’ll keep going.
“I still feel like I have a lot to offer so hopefully that’s the case.”
STRENGTH
Forwards. It’s a powerhouse pack, headlined by Tapine, who was named a Dally M Prop of the Year in 2024. He’s also won the club’s best and fairest three years running. He will be complimented by Papali’i, who continues to truck along. Back rower Hudson Young is one of the game’s best edge forwards while Zac Hosking was outstanding before succumbing to injury last year. There’s plenty of excitement about young props Trey Mooney and Ata Mariota. As we’ve come to expect with Canberra, there are always a couple of rugged Englishmen in the fray. Morgan Smithies was solid in his debut season last year however it’s new Raider Matty Nicholson who is garnering plenty of attention. Nicholson, a back rower, impressed in his first hitout against the Panthers last weekend, making 23 tackles and running for 56 metres.
WEAKNESS
Lack of star power. Outside of Joe Tapine and Josh Papali’i, the Raiders are light on blue chip talent. There are several players on the roster capable of reaching those heights, such as centre Matt Timoko, forward Corey Horsburgh and young guns Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange, but the consistency required isn’t quite there yet. We know a Ricky Stuart-coached team will have plenty of resolve and ticker, which will win them games but whether they have the talent across the park to match it with the top tier teams remains to be seen.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Kaeo Weekes. The 22-year-old impressed at the back for Canberra last season, in what was his first year in green. Emerging through the Sea Eagles pathways and debuting for Manly in 2022, Weekes signed on with the Raiders in search of greater first grade opportunities. While he started 2024 in reserve grade, he was promoted into the halves because of an injury to Jamal Fogarty. It was an opportunity that Weekes wouldn’t relinquish, playing the remaining 17 games of the season. While he was solid in the halves, he was at his game-breaking best when playing fullback. With a full pre-season under his belt training at fullback, he will only improve and if the Raiders are going to be a top eight threat, Weekes is going to have to be one of the team’s best on a consistent basis.
Kaeo Weekes.Source: SuppliedWHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Corey Horsburgh. 2024 was a season full of adversity for ‘Big Red’. For much of last season, he was short odds to be anywhere else but the nation’s capital after an fallout with coach Ricky Stuart. Horsburgh, who played for Queensland in 2023, was told by Stuart that he’d start the season in reserve grade which was news he didn’t take well. Following that, it just wouldn’t be Horsburgh’s year. Injuries and a suspension from an ugly incident in NSW Cup meant the firebrand only played 12 games (seven in NSW Cup, five in NRL). While a down year, there was a highlight in the final round with Horsburgh scoring the game-winning try against the Dragons. To Horsburgh’s credit, he has already shown he’s keen to put 2024 behind him with the prop coming back to pre-season training in terrific condition, earning plenty of praise from teammates and coaches. It’s a good start as Horsburgh needs a strong season to get back in the good graces of Raiders fans. He certainly is with Stuart, with the coach declaring that Horsburgh will return to the Origin arena in 2025.
Corey Horsburgh.Source: Getty ImagesTHE UNLUCKY ONES
Chevy Stewart. He’s ample good enough to be playing NRL week in, week out but it’s very likely he’ll start the season behind Kaeo Weekes in the Raiders’ fullback pecking order. At just 19, Stewart is still raw but he’s tough as nails and had some strong moments during his three games in NRL last season. What’s against him is that his small stature means you can’t play him anywhere else in the backline for now. If injury strikes Weekes, Stewart is next man up, or his number may be called if Weekes is required to move into the halves at some stage during the season.
FOX LAB PREDICTED FINISH: 11th (chances of top eight finish – 37.6%)
BEST 17
1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Xavier Savage
3. Matt Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Albert Hopoate
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Joe Tapine
9. Tom Starling
10. Josh Papali’i
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Simi Sasagi
15. Corey Horsburgh
16. Matty Nicholson
17. Trey Mooney
2025 squad: Albert Hopoate (2025), Ata Mariota (2026), Chevy Stewart (2026, MO 2027), Corey Horsburgh (2027), Corey Harawira-Naera (2025, PO 2026), Danny Levi (2025), Emre Guler (2025), Ethan Sanders (2027), Ethan Strange (2028), Hudson Young (2027), Jamal Fogarty (2025, CO 2026), Jordan Martin (2025), Joseph Tapine (2027, PO 2028), Josh Papali’i (MO 2025), Kaeo Weekes (2027), Matthew Timoko (2028), Matty Nicholson (2027), Michael Asomua (2026), Morgan Smithies (2026), Myles Martin (2027), Pasami Saulo (2026), Savelio Tamale (2026), Sebastian Kris (2027), Simi Sasagi (2025), Tom Starling (2025), Trey Mooney (2027), Vena Patuki-Case (2025), Xavier Savage (2027), Zac Hosking (2026)
Development players: Noah Martin (2025, NRL 2026), Jake Clydsdale (2025, NRL 2026), Owen Pattie (2025, NRL 2026), Joe Roddy (2025, NRL 2026), Peter Taateo (2025, CO 2026), Manaia Waitere (2025, NRL 2026)
2025 gains: Myles Martin (Newcastle Knights), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Ethan Sanders (Parramatta Eels), Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra Dragons)
2025 losses: Elliott Whitehead (Catalans Dragons), Nick Cotric (Catalans Dragons), Zac Woolford (Huddersfield Giants), Hohepa Puru (Sharks), James Schiller (Knights), Jordan Rapana (Hull FC), Adrian Trevilyan (Northern Pride), Peter Hola
Coach: Ricky Stuart (2029)
