Canberra Raiders News

Sun, 6th September, 2026, 3:55 AEST
'Head on head': Cowboys issues go beyond sin-binning
North Queensland's Reuben Cotter was controversially sin-binned for a high shot in a loss to Canberra, sparking coach Todd Payten's defense of the incident.
The Canberra Times
North Queensland coach Todd Payten insists his co-captain Reuben Cotter's high shot on Josh Papalii was a clash of heads after the representative lock was put on report.
The Cowboys will play Cronulla away in an elimination final on the back of a 50-30 thrashing by Canberra, that got off to a horror start for the hosts in Townsville when lock Cotter was sin-binned for a high shot on the retiring Raiders legend after just 15 seconds.
Referee Nick Pelgrave said it was reckless and forceful to the head, but Papalii passed his HIA and returned to go out a winner.
Payten said he was not resigned to losing Cotter for the Sharks showdown.
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Sat, 5th September, 2026, 21:33 AEST
Anxious wait for co-captain on Black night for Cowboys
Coby Black made an unforgettable NRL debut, scoring 26 points, while Reuben Cotter faced controversy after being sin-binned during their match against Canberra.
The Canberra Times
North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter faces a nervous wait ahead of finals after being sensationally sin-binned and put on report just 15 seconds into their shocking 50-30 loss to Canberra.
Saturday's match in Townsville was highlighted by a stunning NRL debut by record-breaking Raiders halfback Coby Black, whose sublime kicking gave the Cowboys' back five nightmares in the most accomplished first-up game in premiership history.
The 20-year-old scored 26 points from two tries and nine goals from nine attempts, the most in 118 years of the premiership by a player on debut.
Cotter collected retiring veteran Josh Papalii high from the first hit-up of the match and was sin-binned for what referee Nick Pelgrave called a reckless shot to the head with force.
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Sat, 5th September, 2026, 20:05 AEST
Cotter on report as Cowboys thrashed on Black night
Coby Black's NRL debut shone as he scored 26 points, while Reuben Cotter faces potential suspension after a sin-binning in a heavy loss.
The Canberra Times
North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter faces a nervous wait ahead of finals after being sensationally sin-binned and put on report just 15 seconds into their shocking 50-30 loss to Canberra.
Saturday's match in Townsville was highlighted by a stunning NRL debut by record-breaking Raiders halfback Coby Black, whose sublime kicking gave the Cowboys' back five nightmares in the most accomplished first-up game in premiership history.
The 20-year-old scored 26 points from two tries and nine goals from nine attempts, the most in 118 years of the premiership by a player on debut.
See more...