Canberra Raiders NRL News

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart opposes pre-season trials due to injury risks and season length.

Region Canberra

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has long opposed pre-season trials, considering the length of the season-proper - seven gruelling months - and the risk of injuries.

Last year, the Raiders fielded a near full-strength lineup for the final trial against the Sharks. The Raiders went down heavily, 40-10, before bouncing back a couple of weeks later to hammer the Warriors 30-8 in the first round.

There are plenty of reasons why there may have been a turnaround, including a mindset that it is only a trial game with no premiership points lost or gained.

Another is that there is plenty of experimentation in trial games, with the seemingly constant subbing of players, and the risk of injury to key players always in the background.

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Zero Tackle

The Raiders are one of the most up in the air clubs when it comes to goal kicking in 2026.

Jamal Fogarty was the man in 2025, but he will wear the Manly Sea Eagles' jersey in the new year.

It means Ethan Sanders - who is his most likely replacement - could well take the goal-kicking reins, albeit with one major caveat.

Will he actually be playing?

Coby Black has been signed by the club and could yet take the number seven jumper if not in Round 1, then at some point during the year.

That could mean Ethan Strange or Kaeo Weekes wind up kicking goals, but for now, we will say Sanders has first shot at it.

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