BY DAN

In his first outing at the highest level Chevy Stewart didn’t disappoint. A lot is put on him as a potential ‘game-changing’ talent, but seemed to take everything in stride and offered plenty in return. Does that mean he’s ready to be an ‘every-game’ fullback?

There were many good things in the weekend’s trial. Players did their jobs, showed promise in new roles and while we didn’t get to see an expansive, or more structured attack, we did at least get to see a bit of freedom in how they played. But if there’s a downside to all this it’s that position battles, while occasionally clearer, aren’t settled. No matter, there’s a second trial to come. We did get plenty of intelligence as to how those issues might be settled.

At fullback it was clear we can strike on option from our list. Xavier Savage spent his time on the field at wing, and looked pretty comfortable there. He seems bigger than recent years, a fact that has been spoken of even if no one has written the ‘he’s put on 5kg of muscle’ article (help David Polkinghorne, you’re my only hope). That may have contributed to him getting run down by Sean Russell, as did the fact he had to run 40 metres he started his sprint duel with the Eels winger. He was readily involved in yardage and was a weapon to be utilised whenever the Raiders did hit an edge. When Chevy Stewart left the field at about the 55 minute mark, Savage did not move to fullback, Albert Hopoate did. Add to the fact that Savage barely played a moment at the position in 2023 NSW Cup Footy and it doesn’t take an investigatory journalist to work out what’s going on, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way.

Chevy Stewart did appear encouragingly ready, moreso than I assumed he would be at this stage. He looked fast and in position on kick returns. He was impressive in defence, and made several important tackles, including a brilliant try saver on Kelma Tuilagi. He’s already a very good ballplayer, and despite not being able to get involved in shifting movements (because, for the most part, the Raiders didn’t run them) he did make several correct decisions on the run with the ball in hand. He did his yardage work, albeit imperfectly. There’s definitely something to build on there.

The challenge of course will be physical. In yardage and on the goal line he’ll always be small. Raiders fullbacks tend to set up a ‘A’ in goal-lines and shift behind the line once it gets a pass wide. Chevy will get targeted by big props on crash balls coming his way. In yardage he will need to engage his inner Ryan Papenhuyzen and focus on using his speed and agility to not allow anyone to get him front on. If Savage makes it as the front-line winger that might mean that Stewart misses out – they may not want two ‘small’ backs in their back three for yardage reasons.

Both of these risks can be mitigated for. In defence big boppers can be entrusted to support the little guy at A. It may even work to Canberra’s benefit, focussing defences on a perceived weakness that can be easily accounted for. In attack both Matt Timoko and Seb Kris can be trusted to get through their share of yardage work. While it won’t help early in exit sets it at least means that the one or two less perfect carries to start a set after a kick will be matched by brutal ones after. It’s not ideal but it reduces the impact if neither Stewart or Savage get overwhelmed.

What can’t be mitigated for is conditioning. Stewart noticeably cramped late in the game. After the game he spoke of how it was the fastest footy he’s ever played. There’s an additional physical step to take that isn’t just size related. I’m not certain you can train that away. It’s something that comes from getting used to the pace in the moment. But it may be something that leads Stuart to hold Stewart back a while.

If Savage has a line through his name at fullback, then picking Jordan Rapana seems the smartest alternative to Stewart (should the coach decide he wants to give him more time before feeding him to the wolves so to speak). As noted pretty consistently by Blake from Raiders Review with Blake and the Pork, Rapana is a capable short-side attacker. He’s also good in yardage, and a strong voice of organisation at the back. This would allow Nic Cotric into the starting side, meaning Sticky gets to keep two big yardage players in his back three (well, at least two people capable of big yardage work). That doesn’t have to be permanent (again Blake hypothesises it would be a six-to-eight week arrangement – I guess we’ll see). Seb Kris, previously seen at the position is also an option, and Kaeo Weekes could be used there if he misses out on six to Ethan Strange.

Options are good but if there’s a goal for fullback (and six, and nine) for next week’s trial it will to settle on an outcome for the season’s first quarter. The Raiders will be keen to find out if Stewart’s admirable start can hold against a proper starting side. The Cows have plenty of big boys both in the backs and in the pack. If Stewart is ready we’ll get a very good indication from that game. Even if he’s not, the talent is there. It won’t be a long time before we see him in first grade consistently.

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