Canberra Raiders News

Wed, 1st July, 2026, 12:10 AEST
No Ethan Strange? Why do NSW keep making this Origin mistake?
NSW's challenge in State of Origin III is timely bench players and coach Daley's strategic changes for a crucial game.
The Canberra Times
ONE of the biggest worries for NSW in State of Origin III - and, let's face it, they've got plenty - is that the players they'll need to help get them a win might not get on the field until it's too late.
I'm talking about Ethan Strange, Blayke Brailey, Haumole Olakau'atu and Cameron Murray, all of whom are on the bench.
Blues coach Laurie Daley made some necessary changes for the series-deciding game against Queensland in Brisbane next Wednesday, but he didn't go all the way.
Stephen Crichton and Bradman Best in the centres? Fine. Jack Bostock in on the wing for Brian To'o? It's tough on To'o as a fine servant for NSW, but his recent form hasn't been great, so a change was understandable.
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Wed, 1st July, 2026, 8:02 AEST
NRL 2027: Canberra Raiders best-case 19 for Round 1
The Raiders' 2026 season is disappointing, struggling in the bottom four after last year's minor premiership, despite a recent win.
Zero Tackle
It's safe to say the 2026 NRL season has not been a good one so far for Ricky Stuart and the Canberra Raiders.
After taking out the minor premiership last year, things have gone from bad to worse in 2026, with the club now sitting firmly entrenched in the bottom four.
A win over the hapless St George Illawarra Dragons on the weekend kicks them clear of the wooden spoon by another two competition points, but the defending minor premiers aren't out of the woods yet.
Scarily, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Raiders would slip this year, such was the importance of Jamal Fogarty last year. His move to the Manly Sea Eagles at the end of the campaign, with that club now flying under the coaching of Kieran Foran, could go down as the biggest of the year.
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Wed, 1st July, 2026, 5:52 AEST
How a shared autism bond created a beautiful family-like NRL story
Lily, bullied at school, wears a "safe shirt" for comfort, connecting with autism advocates Ricky Stuart and Josh Papali'i.
The Canberra Times
Lily was getting bullied at school, so she wore "Mr Ricky's" shirt for a month to help make her feel safe.
When she wears it, she feels like all the Canberra Raiders are protecting her - so it became her "safe shirt".
And she cried for two days when she heard it was "Papa Smurf's" last season.
Eleven-year-old Lily Thomson has level two autism and an intellectual disability.
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