BY DAN

The Canberra Raiders have had some interesting team lists this season. Long term injuries, young players developing and the usual hustle and bustle of the season will throw up some fun. From Jordan Martin’s ascension, to the ‘wait who is going to be our backrower/fullback/centre’ to the fullback rotation, there’s probably been a bit more confusion this year than others as to what the best 17 is. But the team list for Friday’s game might show the side is settled for the first time in months.

No better is this seen than in the inclusion of Zac Hosking on the bench. He’ll likely play the majority of the minutes on the right edge in a job share arrangement with Elliott Whitehead. This throws back to earlier in the year when they first played together, notably last time they played the Warriors. In that game Whitehead started and was replaced by Hosking after twenty minutes. Hosking played the last sixty minutes of the game on that edge, and Whitehead provided relief minutes in the middle, subbing Morgan Smithies off late in the game. One would think that substitution might occur in a similar pattern this Friday, only with a little more time for the old rogue and less for Smithies.

I think this was always the plan for how Hosking and Whitehead would be used, and probably a hint for 2025 and the inclusion of Matty Nicholson. Hosking provides cover for edge, 13 and even centre in a pinch. Whitehead covers edge and middle rotation. Suddenly Canberra are able to handle the random injuries and HIAs that can derail any game.

This is a safer, more flexible and finally balanced backrow and middle rotation. And given how well Hosking performed early in the year, it’s not a moment too soon. It’s telling we’ve been hanging on the return of someone that’s played a handful of games for the club.

This team list is also a reflection of the ascension of Trey Mooney and Ata Mariota as the “next” middles. Now they’re thumpers for the middle rotation, ahead of Guler, taking the opportunity afforded by Pasami Saulo’s back injury and Corey Horsburgh’s annus horribilis. Mooney has been excellent in recent weeks and proven he should be the first bruiser off the bench. He’s been solidly pumping out 35-40 minutes a game in recent weeks, and if Canberra could have the ball a bit more through the middle forty of the game he might be more obviously productive on the stat sheet.

Mariota too has proven his worth as a prime bench forward. There’s a tendency to compare him to Josh Papalii, which is fair because their running styles are so similar. I like to think of him a bit like Charles Barkly (cross sport and cross generation comparison! We don’t mess around in these pages) in that he overpowers the small players and uses agility to beat the big ones. When he plays in the middle he can use his agility to get between defenders. When he’s used on the edge he can use his power to hit hard lines and hurt people. It’s a flexibility the Raiders have needed, and while it’s less necessary with Hosking and Whitehead in the team, it’s very much a ‘nice-to-have’. Like Mooney his opportunities have been limited by game flow but I’m excited that this team list will give him a more straightforward role (probably).

There is also the inclusion of Fogarty. It was always likely to be a straight swap for Adam Cook, who returns to dominate NSW Cup and earn himself an NRL contract for 2025. I’m not sure where it will be (one wouldn’t assume the Raiders given Ethan Sanders impending arrival), but Cook has proven he’s good enough. Jamal Fogarty is better right now though, and his insertion is certainly a welcome (re)introduction.

Seb Kris is also healthy, as is Hudson Young. Seb in particular hasn’t had his happiest year. To me he’s looked tentative in a way I’ve not seen from him since he made first grade. I’m hopeful that the rest is what he needed to get back to his best. Young talked of the deterioration of his groin (*ahem*) over the weeks post his origin appearance. Hopefully the fortnight off has done the trick for him too.

With Weekes at the back for the third week in a row it’s clear now the Raiders are settled. He may have been third choice fullback in March but for right now he feels like the best fit. Stewart is a next year proposition. Rapana, like Young, a victim of refusing to lose and doing everything he could to win, only for his skill not to match his desire. Weekes is the best balance for now.

As is the side more generally. For the first time in months it doesn’t feel pieced together but rather a team with balance and flexibility.

Will it be enough? Well that’s a different question.

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