The Canberra Raiders’ Struggles and the Rise of Young Talent
The Canberra Raiders have faced a challenging start to the 2025 season, slipping to second-last on the NRL ladder after five rounds. This has been attributed to several factors, including the departure of key player Jamal Fogarty to the Manly Sea Eagles. This move has created an opportunity for rookie Ethan Sanders to step into the role of chief playmaker, partnering with Ethan Strange, who is just beginning to reach 50 NRL games.
This young spine, which includes promising youngster Kaeo Weekes and experienced hooker Tom Starling, has proven to be quite inexperienced. Despite this, the Raiders managed to secure their only win of the season in a dramatic golden point thriller in round one, where Sanders played a crucial role by kicking the winning field goal.
Since then, however, the team has struggled to find their rhythm. As the club’s halves pairing, Sanders and Strange have come under scrutiny for the team’s poor performance. However, premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend has spoken out in their defense, highlighting the learning curve that comes with playing in the NRL.
Chad Townsend’s Perspective on the Young Pair
Speaking on SEN, Townsend acknowledged that Sanders hasn’t had his best weeks since that initial success. He pointed out that Sanders missed some tackles during a recent game when the team was down a man, and Dane Gagai gave him a few stern words.
Townsend emphasized that as a young halfback, Sanders will always face challenges, particularly in defense. He stressed the importance of positioning and waiting for support. “It’s a good learning curve for Sanders and the demands of the NRL at this stage of his career,” Townsend said.
He believes that the tough lessons will ultimately benefit the young pair, helping them grow stronger as players in the long run. With the 2025 Minor Premiers falling further behind the Top 8, it’s clear that the Raiders need to improve quickly.
Ben Gardiner’s Support for the Young Halves
Perth Bears assistant coach Ben Gardiner also echoed Townsend’s sentiments, expressing confidence in the potential of Sanders and Strange. He noted that Ricky Stuart, the Raiders’ coach, understands the importance of developing young halves. “He knows whether they’re up to it or not,” Gardiner said.
Gardiner added that unless the pair commit fully to their roles, the team might consider swapping them out, which could lead to more inconsistency in attack. He compared the situation to last year when Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, and Dylan Edwards were new to the team, resulting in similar issues.
“I think these are two young guys coming through and building their game,” Gardiner said. “Obviously, they’re gonna get brilliant coaching from Ricky cause he’s a mastermind of rugby league… and I think that there’s growth there.”
The Road Ahead for the Raiders
As a legend of the NRL and one of the Raiders’ greatest halves, Ricky Stuart knows how to manage the ups and downs that young players often face. His experience will be crucial in helping Sanders and Strange return to their opening round form.
The Raiders will be eager to secure two points when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Perth at Optus Stadium this Saturday. Their performance in this match could be a turning point in their season, offering hope that the young talent can rise to the occasion and help the team climb the ladder.
