Canberra Raiders News

Dolphins' second-row positions intensify competition; Gilbert's return complicates selections for coach Woolf.

The Canberra Times

The hotly contested battle for Dolphins second-row spots is indicative of a race for positions in the pack, which will see highly rated forwards miss out on a round-one berth.

Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Oryn Keeley lead the second-row contest, but captain Tom Gilbert, who will return from a pec/shoulder injury in the trials, has already said he is training more in the back row than as a middle this pre-season.

The comeback of Gilbert, a certain starter against South Sydney on March 8, adds an extra dimension to the pleasant headache confronting coach Kristian Woolf.

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This season, the Panthers have a stable lineup after five years of reshaping post-premiership victories.

LeagueNews.co

This season marks the first time in five years that the Panthers will not defend a premiership title, as they enter with a more stable lineup.

Unlike the previous four seasons, in which the team had to continually reshape itself after each premiership victory due to the departure of standout players like Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton (all now with the Bulldogs), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), and Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), this year presents a different scenario.

During their remarkable title run from 2021 to 2024, the Panthers lost 23 top-tier players to rival teams. This year's exits include figures such as Brad Schneider (Dolphins), Luke Sommerton (Titans), Daine Laurie (Raiders), Soni Luke (Cowboys), and Mavrik Geyer (Wests Tigers).

The impact of these departures is significant, especially in terms of Penrith's depth. Backup hooker Billy Scott, who played for NSW U19s in 2023, remains untested at the NRL level, while their main signings include Warriors forwards Tom Ale and Kalani Going.

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Cricket ACT's chairman may face exclusion in negotiations for Canberra's Big Bash franchise amid corporate competition.

The Canberra Times

Rival cricket power brokers could attempt to ice Cricket ACT's chairman out of negotiations to deliver a Big Bash franchise to Canberra. But just who is the corporate titan trying to bring a city's dream to life?

Greg Boorer is the man behind $17 billion digital infrastructure company Canberra Data Centres. Yet in the early years of the business, his family's home was on the line and he landed in the intensive care unit with a pulmonary embolism after sitting at his desk, working for 20 hours a day.

Boorer has poured millions into Canberra cricket facilities and contributed to a number of charities. His company sponsors the Canberra Raiders. You get the sense Manuka Oval would be more than...

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