James Buckley Sports Editor Slightly cheating on our own rule here Cronulla may have an established and experienced roster, but they also have a number of players with a few NRL games or less to their name. Luke Davico was a great clubman for a decade across the 1990s and 2000s. Please note this list is subject to change and only includes players who have current NRL contracts or ongoing training deals with the club in 2023. Read our Privacy Policy. He played just two games that year before moving on, playing the bulk of his career in England, including four Test matches for Wales. After returning to Australia, Purtell became captain-coach of the Albury Thunder, his home town. Standing at 194cm and weighing in at over 110kg, the front-rower is banging on the door for the Sea Eagles and is locked into the club's top 30 roster for the next two years. Karapani was a constant fixture in NSW Cup for the Bunnies in 2022 and with a lack of depth in the clubs backline, the young gun looks poised to make the jump to the NRL this year. 7. A little bit older and a little bit more experienced than many players on this list, Preston Riki has an NRL debut within his grasp heading into 2023. You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content. 81 wins 35 losses. 11. 7 tries. He played in Canberra for Woden Valley in 1981, but moved back to Queensland to play for the Yeppoon Seagulls in 1982 before returning to the ACT to join the Raiders in 1983. James Buckley Sports Editor James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. 4 finals 2 wins. 12 tries, 6 finals 2 wins. Hes gone down in Canberra Raiders history as the first try-scorer in the NRL, Gerry de la Cruz is one player sure to be remembered by multicultural Australian rugby players for years to come. Leaving Canberra in 1996, he went on to play over 250 games at the top level in both Australia and England. 9 tries. The Canberra Raiders will commence pre-season training this week, with several of the clubs Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup players having the opportunity to spend some time with the NRL squad pre-Christmas. 'Im not concerned': Wallabies' NRL wish list revealed but V'landys says stars won't switch for rugby's 'TikTok' tedium, Round 1 Predicted Teams - Dragons: Sullivan hamstrung, Amone facing court in off-season of turmoil, pick your best players and compete in daily NRL fantasy competitions, great odds on every NRL match try signing up for PlayUp. Japanese Weaver is locked in a battle with Toby Sexton and Tanah Boyd for a spot in the halves at the club. Terry Martin (92) 2000-2006. Oops! Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors. John (Chicka) Ferguson: 94 matches (50 tries); Dally M Winger of the Year (1985, 88); 3 Tests for Australia; 8 matches for NSW. After playing some footy with the Maitland Pickers, Tilse is now a youth worker in Newcastle. While he is unlikely to usurp Jayden Brailey for the starting No.9 position any time soon, Rugless is certainly in the frame to act as his deputy and could make his NRL debut if injury strikes during the lengthy season. If youre not familiar with Josiah Karapani yet, something tells us you will be by the time the 2023 season is done and dusted. de la Cruz was born to a Sri Lankan mother and Filipino father in Innisfail, but was raised and educated in the Northern Territory capital, Darwin. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. 13. He played six matches before injury brought his career to an end. Lock: Shaun Fensom (139) 2009-2016. 1. After retiring in 1985, he led the Kyogle Turkeys in their local league. Paul Martin rounds out the 10 based on his three grand final appearances. who played his sole first grade game in . Tom Learoyd-Lahrs: 109 matches; 4 Tests for Australia; 4 matches for NSW. "We also look forward to scheduling as many of their matches as we can with our NRL team to enhance the match day experience.". 2 finals 2 losses. Adrian Purtell was a prolific try scorer for the Raiders in the late 2000s, scoring two hat-tricks and five doubles in his career. A standout at schoolboy level, Katoa was able to keep Dragons star Talatau Amone out of the Tongan side in the RLWC, which is proof that he is ready to make the jump to first grade. Latin America Matthew Wood (74) 1989-1996. by Anisha Mistry | Jun 5, 2018 | Asia, National, Sports | 0 comments, [vc_row css_animation= row_type=row use_row_as_full_screen_section=no type=full_width angled_section=no text_align=left background_image_as_pattern=without_pattern][vc_column][vc_column_text]Photo credit: Flickr, reepy_au(CC BY-SA 2.0). Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? This was reflected in the Raiders' performance, and Starling's performance. Shaun Fensom is a player who I really expected to have represented in some capacity. Adrian Purtell (64) 2006-2009. One of those quality rookies is Rua Ngatikaura, who is already signed to the top 30 at the Tigers and has huge wraps on him. But what about the players who came and went from the club in no time flat? Michael Hodgson (98) 2001-2006. If you needed an insight into how highly the Roosters rate young playmaker Sandon Smith, you only need to look at the players they have let go in the past 12 months. A standout at schoolboy level, Katoa was able to keep Dragons star Talatau Amone out of the Tongan side in the RLWC, which is proof that he is ready to make the jump to first grade. Nanai had his first full season in first-grade during the 2022 campaign, but immediately became one of the game's best edge forwards. Thompson won the Raiders Player of the Year in 2005, alongside 113-gamer Josh Miller who I have cruelly left out of this side (despite winning the clubs player of the year again in 2009 what am I thinking?). But some have their doubts. Grant tragically died of a heart attack at just 38 and is a member of the clubs Hall of Fame. Canberra Raiders celebrate Indigenous players ahead of NRL's Indigenous round By Lee Gaskin Updated April 23 2018 - 10:12pm , first published August 7 2015 - 10:34pm He never played more than 12 games in any other year and was out of the first grade side by the time they broke through for the 1989 premiership. Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work Prolific try-scorer Ken Nagas was one of those, while modern-day stars Jack Wighton and Edrick Lee have bright futures in front of them. Middle East Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work Backo said players such as Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis continued to be role models for Indigenous people. Lincoln Withers spent five seasons at the Raiders covering post-Stuart halfback and post-Walters hooking duties, a truly thankless task. Copyright 2021 Cultural Pulse. This year, Ive had that experience and I definitely want to take that next step forward and push for a spot in the top 17..thats probably my biggest goal for next year. Matthew Wood has the distinction of playing in all three Raiders grand finals in his first three seasons, between 1989 and 1991 and was the clubs Rookie of the Year in their 1989 premiership season. Peter Benson His daughter Millie is a dual international, the Brisbane Bronco representing Australia as a prop in league and a flanker in union as well as appearing on the TV reality show SAS Australia. (Canberra Raiders) Speaking of experience, and it doesn't get much better than Canberra Raiders' enforcer Josh Papalii. Please gamble responsibly. 2 finals 1 win. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Africa The Canberra Raiders have confirmed a list of six players set to depart the club at the end of the 2022 season. Laurie Daley, Peter Jackson and Glenn Lazarus all made their debut for Canberra in 1987, though only Queensland State of Origin Centre Jackson played a prominent role that year, more so after his centre partner Meninga broke his arm and missed half of the season. The 19-year-old played 10 games of QLD Cup last year, setting up five tries and kicking 12 goals, and will likely continue to ply his trade in that competition when the season commences. His final season in the big time was with the Raiders in 1988, when he played just two games. With 45 appearances in reserve grade to his name with the Warriors, Redcliffe and Panthers, the 24-year-old edge-forward is pushing for an opportunity and has an impressive resume behind him. 102 wins 73 losses. Backo has always been passionate about Indigenous issues. The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Tedesco, Latrell, Papenhuyzen and more: Who are the NRL's best 10 fullbacks for season 2023? Matt Orford Mariota tips the scales at close to 115kg but is extremely mobile for a front-rower, and with the club signing him on for the next two years, a permanent spot in the first grade lineup can't be too far away. He went on to coach the Australian schoolboys. Munster, Brown, Keary, Wighton, Dearden, Luai: Who are the NRL's best 10 five-eighths for season 2023? Mataele is signed to a development deal for 2023, but there is no reason why he couldnt receive an upgrade or force his way into the top 17 at some stage during the year. Please note that the numbers below are based on data contained in the RLP database, and may not be accurate. 75 wins 80 losses. 8 tries. A Canberra junior with a rugby union background, Maguire played 11 times for the Raiders between 1992 and 1996. 3. He played for the club for sixteen seasons and was a part of the forward pack in the 1994 premiership-winning team, scoring a try in the grand final. When on the field the clubs 2005 Rookie of the Year managed to score 23 tries in just 50 matches. Please gamble responsibly. Luxury Byron Bay home Glenbrook Estate with private rainforest, water slide has $5m price hopes, Titanic Theatre Restaurant site sails onto the market, Who is Bianca Censori? 33 wins 24 losses. David Grant: 76 matches for Canberra; Inaugural captain. 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