BY DAN

Over the last few weeks there’s been an increasing amount of noise around how the Milk might fill the hole left by the departure of Jack Wighton.

This is of course to be expected. Canberra are more susceptible than ever to the old Raider Raise (what up Jack Cronin). Apart from having a massive hole in their roster at six the Raiders also have so much cap space this off-season it may as well we called a vacuum. In the past two seasons they’ve lost their biggest cap liabilities (Josh Hodgson and Jack Wighton) and will likely lose another substantial outlay this off-season in Jarrod Croker. In addition most of the squad is off-contract or on the market at some point over the next six months.

In short Canberra could be anything going forward, and it means anyone could be relevant. In filling the specific ravine left by Wighton’s departure there are so many pathways that the Raiders could follow that they’re being attached to all level of player. At the moment the noise exists around three dispirit options that in their suggestion reveal more about the situation than the thinking of the organisation.

The budget option can be seen in the rumours around their interest in Lachlan Lam. As a front line option it’s less assured than other options. Lam is probably a first grade player but hardly a sure thing. He is currently not in the NRL (he plays for Leigh Leopards in the Super League), isn’t as young as people thing (he’d be 26 to start the 2024 season). Lam is evidently going well in the English competition, and Canberra have turned these projects into rolled gold before.

At face value this feels more like a depth replacement for either Matt Frawley or *gulps* Brad Schneider than the identification of a future star. A recognition that Lam could definitely provide first-grade quality play as needed, but more of a long-shot to be the new hope of the side – think Danny Levi but with a name you know (like Thomas Jefferson Johnson). At this stage his father and current coach insists it’s not happening – which of course he would.

The mid-range pathway is seen in Canberra being linked to Luke Brooks. Brooks has rejected an offer of extension from the Tigers – which to be honest means he must have a decent head on his shoulders. Canberra has the need for a good player who can handle playing on the left and certainly have the cap space to accommodate him (the offer he rejected was 500k a year, which is hardly big money for a half and well within the Milk’s means). In looking for a fresh start Brooks would be best placed next to a halfback that can run the organisational aspect of the game for him, freeing him up to run at the line and utilise his left boot to great effect in both long and short range. Jamal Fogarty is actually a great fit in that regard. Fogarty wants the reins. Brooks is desperate to give them up. Make sweet music together boys. It’s an oddly compelling thought.

Many will see Brooks as a basket-case and that’s fair enough. He’s spent the best part of the last five years disappointing those who put too much faith in him. But in that regard it’s hard to separate him from the franchise he’s been at the helm of the last few years. There’s undoubtedly talent there that could be realised with a cuddle and a fresh start. Tim Sheens’ focus on building his confidence and the level of play that has followed has given a roadmap for whoever coaches him next. Is Sticky a cuddle-and-confidence guy? He’s certainly softened in recent years but I still wouldn’t describe him that way. Another challenge would be having two tiny men in the defensive line. But then again it’s not like there are Jack Wightons around every corner.

Reporting exists that the Raiders are (or more accurately, were) interested but that ‘ship has sailed’ for reasons that aren’t really made clear (one would presume them having someone else in mind). That doesn’t preclude interest from being re-ignited but given it’s the last we’ve heard from the club, even indirectly, let’s assume it’s true until someone says something other than ‘hey did you know the Raiders have cap space?’

The other road the Raiders are wandering down is one with gum drop houses on lollypop lane. As we said last week Ben Hunt is under contract for another two years but there’s apparently a general vibe around the league that he’s a bit pissed with the Dragons and willing to blow up the spot (figuratively) in order to get out. It feels like of the named teams of interest (Dragons, Titans, Raiders) the people’s team are at the back of the pack. 900k a year is a fair price for an elite half even if it’s the back end of his career. He gives you top level organisation, creativity, defence, and even someone who can play hooker as well as any of the options on the roster. The biggest problem signing him would be seeing him head off for Origin.

It’s an interesting list of names so far but I’m not certain any of these three are likely to be the day one starter for the Milk next season. As mentioned Lam feels more like a depth-and-hope play. Brooks is much maligned but will also have plenty of suitors looking for an under-priced starting half. The Knights will be sniffing around as they have been for two years. The Cows are also rumoured to be interested. And of course Ben Hunt’s threats feel like leverage with a vague hope of chaos (now that’s a weather report).

What it does tell us is that Canberra’s planned pathway to a starting six is as yet unclear, or at least unknown outside the club. Three stories, three different ideas of what the Raiders will be investing into their starting five-eighth next season. Rather than tell us about a range of options it more suggests that the news we’re hearing isn’t being driven by the club but by players agents. Quelle surprise.

That’s no skin off the Raiders nose. I presume (hope? I guess it depends how dark i’m feeling) there’s a clear idea in-house of what they want and who they can get. There’s a key challenge of finding someone to match with maximising the last few years of Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine’s respective primes, and the first few years of Hudson Young, Corey Horsburgh and Matt Timoko’s. I would go for Hunt, but then again I’m conditioned to that curious mix of pessimistic optimism that keeps every Raiders fan company. I also wouldn’t restrict myself to the above list. There’s other intriguing options out there both domestically (Blake Taafe) and internationally (Jack Welsby).

The cap space situation means that Canberra don’t have to find value at six. All things being equal there should be nothing stopping them from spending big on an elite half. If they don’t that money will either sit idle or get eaten up by extensions to other bits of the Raiders roster. May as well go big.

The only thing I’m sure of is that the Raider Raise on ‘roids situation we’ve got here will mean this noise will heighten over the coming weeks and maybe months. It’s as inevitable as [insert your favourite dark Raiders joke here]. There’s too much money available and too much hope in the club. Don Furner, Stuart and Joel Carbone will be earning their money navigating the complex idiocy of rugby league’s free agency shenanigans. And in the mean time we’ll just have to wait and see.

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