Canberra Raiders NRL News

Gary Belcher, encouraged by Mal Meninga, transformed into a legendary fullback for the Raiders.

Fox League

Gary Belcher never planned to be a fullback and almost wasn't a Raider, but with light "encouragement" from Mal Meninga, helped shape one of the greatest eras of footy ever seen and redefine the role of a No.1.

Belcher was playing as a centre pairing with Meninga at the Brisbane Rugby League's Southern Suburbs Magpies until a forced change of plan from coach Bob McCarthy.

"I was absolutely insulted when he said to me at the start of 1984 that, 'I want you to play fullback'," Belcher recalled on Fox League's Face to Face.

See more...

The Raiders are now recruiting younger players, adjusting their strategy to attract talent amid challenges.

The Riotact

The Raiders have been forced to improvise and adjust their recruitment policy over the years as the club battles to attract big-name players.

It was far easier in the mid-to-late 1980s, with the mass recruitment of Queensland players prior to the formation of the Brisbane Broncos.

In recent times, the Raiders have adopted a new approach, recruiting younger players with the potential to develop over time, guided by some of the more experienced players on the team.

See more...

NRL's Andrew Abdo anticipates fewer sin bins at Magic Round, easing bunker intervention concerns.

Fox League

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo isn't worried that last week's high tackle drama will dominate the headlines at Magic Round, with a directive for the bunker to get involved less frequently set to lead to fewer sin bins in Brisbane.

MORE NRL NEWS

There were 18 sin bins in a chaotic round 8, with fans frustrated by bunker intervention for minor offences where the game would be paused and players would be marched for incidents that had occurred a minute earlier.

Foul play has been a hot topic this year, with data showing high tackles have been on the rise, leading to a whopping $104,650 in fines being handed out, while players have missed a combined 54 weeks through suspension.

Abdo is confident players won't stay down in a bid to get the bunker involved this weekend, with the game's boss backing the on-field action to dominate the headlines after a crackdown overshadowed Magic Round four years ago.

See more...