Canberra Raiders promoted 22-year-old Ethan Sanders to starting halfback for 2026 after Jamal Fogarty's departure, despite his limited experience.
When Jamal Fogarty walked out the door at Canberra for a long-term move to Manly ahead of the 2026 season, the Raiders didn't go looking for a marquee halfback.
There was no big-name recruit, no interstate raid, no experienced journeyman brought to steady the ship.
Instead, Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart handed the keys to the club's most important jersey to a 22-year-old with just four NRL games to his name.
Ethan Sanders had come through the Parramatta Eels pathway system before crossing to Canberra, spent the entire 2025 season as the understudy to Jamal Fogarty in reserve grade and was suddenly the Raiders' starting halfback come 2026, paired with the NRL's reigning Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year, Ethan Strange.