We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
It was 10 months ago that Raiders centre Harley Smith-Shields suffered the greatest setback of his blossoming footy career, but now he's returned fitter, faster and stronger, and determined to win back his place in the NRL side.
"I'll be doing everything I can to push my way into first-grade," he told The Canberra Times.
"It doesn't bother me where I play, wherever I'm needed and when that opportunity comes, I'll be ready.
The Canberra Raiders want to begin tabling contracts in the new year in the hope of landing a marquee NRLW star to kickstart their recruitment drive, after the NRL locked in record salary cap rises for 2023.
The NRL salary cap will increase to a record $12.1 million in 2023, while the minimum salary will rise from $80,000 to $120,000. The new cap gives clubs long-awaited clarity as they piece together contracting jigsaw puzzles, marking a 25 per cent jump on the $9.6 million cap used in 2022.
Clubs had been working with ballpark figures when putting together their squads for 2023 and beyond,...