BY DAN

Saturday’s trial game was mostly about the kids. At least the ones that won’t immediately be gracing the first grade tundra. It’s risky to get carried away about how players who have generally proven themselves to be above NSW Cup level were impressive against a NSW Cup team. But there were plenty of things to look at and appreciate about the young players.

Chief among them was Chevy Stewart. After last season’s brief foray into first grade many were concerned that perhaps we’d put too much weight in his promise. Sure being good as a teenager playing teenagers is impressive, but it doesn’t always translate. This was his best outing in grown-up footy we’ve seen. He looked sharp, attacked from first receiver with directness and precision, utilising pace that seems to have increased since we last saw him (is that a thing that happen? I guess when you’re that young it still can).

Stewart has always had a bit of creativity and ball-play about him, but this was a pace more akin to what Kaeo Weekes deployed at the position last year. This bodes well for the club. Having two options at fullback that can effectively turn nothing into jet fuel is something the Raiders haven’t seen in a while. The only down moment of Stewart’s game was an error covering a kick. We’ve seen him make that before (in u/19 Origin from memory). While it was understandable in that weather, and with that pressure, it’s the kind of error that won’t be forgiven in the top line.

Ethan Sanders was the other young player that people were watching with the most intent. We’d harped on Stuart’s words this week in which he said Sanders was an on field leader. But in this game it felt like Sanders took a backseat to Adam Cook. That’s no shade. One of the great fascinations of Cook’s game is that no matter who’s opposite he seems to take over as the lead half. It occurred in each game he played alongside Jamal Fogarty last season, so this doesn’t feel anything unusual.

Sanders looked best digging into the line. As we said in the Review, it’s not something we’re necessarily used to in a Raiders half. But venturing into the depths of the defence and following it with brilliant precision passes in little space were important parts of two of Canberra’s three tries in the game. Most impressive of these was his effort to read, run, and still dump an offload to Simi Sasagi for the first try of the match. The ability to test the line from a half is an important skill to have, and is already more pronounced than any of his competitors for the number seven jersey.

There are areas of his game that will improve with age and strength. He can get rolled in defence – as he did on his very first tackle of the trial match, which sent him flying back like an action hero confronted with an explosion. He made 14 tackles and missed four. And his boot is exact but not large at this point. Both things will become easier as he physically grows and matures. That’s not to say he’s not physically ready. He’ll just get bigger and be more ready. Readier even.

What was pleasing about the next generation was how many don’t actually have any growth needed. All three Martins were big and bruising in their jobs and proved ready to push, and be a part of the first grade squad. Myles Martin was involved in a huge amount of defence work (a team leading 32 tackles for the game) and showed good hands and decision making whenever he caught the ball at first receiver. Noah Martin ran some strong lines when he came on in the second half, no better displayed that his try scoring effort (good hands too). And he got through plenty of defensive work alongside his cement-bag-with-legs brother Jordan.

Similarly Michael Asomua looked bloodthirsty in both attack and defence. He won’t be ceding the vacant wing position to Savelio Tamale without a fight. He ran with a brutality that will be needed in first grade and had 100m on 10 carries (42 post contact). He didn’t get many chances in space – when do Canberra wingers? – but he showed that he’s got a clean enough pair of heals to be a weapon. In defence he tried to kill everyone, sometimes unsuccessfully. On that side of the ball there’s a lesson learned about hit and wrap, but if I saw Michael tearing into me out of the corner of my eye I might just drop the ball anyway.

Along with the performance of Owen Pattie (covered yesterday), it all makes for a pleasing weeks work, both in the short and long term. Smart people will tell you to not get carried away with what were good performances across the board, and that they are unlikely to play firsts, at least early in the year. But idiots like me will say given the investment the club has made in these players though, anything but signs of quality would have been a cause for consternation. The first trial showed this ‘next generation’ of players proved that they are ready to contribute if asked. That’s nothing but good news.

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