Canberra Raiders News

Ethan Strange is out sick; Simi Sasagi will replace him for the crucial match.

LeagueNews.co

Hours before their crucial match against the Cronulla Sharks in the second week of the 2025 NRL Finals, the Canberra Raiders faced a significant setback as a key player was ruled out.

On Saturday morning, the club announced that five-eighth Ethan Strange would be sidelined due to illness.

In response, utility player Simi Sasagi will take Strange's place in the halves alongside Jamal Fogarty, while Matty Nicholson is set to join the team off the interchange bench.

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Ethan Strange is out for Canberra's NRL semifinal against Cronulla, replaced by Simi Sasagi.

LeagueNews.co

Ethan Strange has been ruled out of Canberra's NRL semifinal against Cronulla, a significant setback for the minor premiers as they aim to avoid a disappointing straight-sets exit.

Strange, who has been having a breakout season, fell ill overnight and will be replaced by utility Simi Sasagi in the halves.

Though Sasagi has had a successful year himself, this will be his first start in the halves at the first-grade level, despite some experience in NSW Cup matches.

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Tom Starling transitioned from bench specialist to breakout star after proving himself to the Raiders.

The Daily Telegraph

It was only less than a year ago that the Raiders sat Tom Starling down and told him he'd need to take a massive pay cut to remain at the club.

And that, for a seventh straight season, he was again going to be a bench specialist.

Which is when Starling, coming off a year where he took on the NSW Police, and won, decided to front up to his coach, Ricky Stuart, as well.

"I sort of said, 'Do you reckon you could give me a crack at the starting nine?" he asked.

"I believe I can do it."

So Stuart gave him the pre-season to prove it.

Tom Starling has truly gone from a bench specialist to a breakout star for the Raiders in 2025. Picture: Getty Images

"I had to work for it. It wasn't just handed to me. I had to prove it and work...

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