We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders have received a double boost just days after enforcer Josh Papali'i vowed to prove he's still one of the best in the business.
They've locked in the next generation of middle forwards for a further two years with both Ata Mariota and Hohepa Puru re-signing until the end of 2026.
It comes as the Green Machine has also put an offer to lock down versatile outside back James Schiller.
He'll come to Canberra with a similar background to both Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman, but Morgan Smithies is a different player to both.
There's one area the Raiders recruit is the same - stereotypical North England toughness.
And the 22-year-old will head Down Under with some glowing praise from England coach Shaun Wane, who just picked him in his squad for their third-and-final Test against Tonga.
Latrell Mitchell's lawyer says the fullback's "extraordinary strength" might have saved his life when he was arrested outside a Canberra nightclub in February.
The South Sydney superstar pleaded with police to ease up in their treatment of him and cried in pain after being arrested for an alleged fight with his cousin Jack Wighton.
Both have since beaten charges relating to the incident, Magistrate Jane Campbell dismissing them on Wednesday morning.
But Mitchell's lawyer Tom Taylor said the treatment of the duo was a cautionary tale, wondering if accused people with less resources might have ended up in...