BY DAN

The Canberra Raiders’ halfback hunt officially reached “really fucking confusing” territory with the announcement that Adam Cook was joining the Leigh Leopards on a three year deal.

Normally, a backup seven heading to the Super League wouldn’t cause much consternation, but context is king. The Raiders have spent the entire offseason chasing an experienced backup half. A million names have been rumoured; all have landed elsewhere. Ilias. Smith. Clifford. Hawkins. O’Sullivan. Each signing on with other clubs, often for lesser opportunities. Jonah Pezet was pursued more openly, ostensibly as a backup, though that always felt a stretch, both in likelihood of signature and role.

When all of those fell through, Canberra’s anxiety about turning over the keys to Ethan Sanders completely was mitigated by the knowledge that while they didn’t get their preferred backup, they still had Adam Cook waiting in the wings. Cook was unlikely to be a full-time first grade half (well not now anyway) but he had a big boot, had shown an ability to set up a try with some glorious passing, and his play was improving at a rapid rate, as noted by Raiders’ assistant coach Brock Shepperd after the 2024 season. If the Milk didn’t have a more established option, having Cook in the chamber was comforting.

Now they don’t. And it’s hard not to look at the Raiders’ top 30 and see that backup half spot as a glaring weakness. It would be concerning even if they were entering 2026 with an established seven. Now it’s potentially destabilising, putting untold pressure for Ethan Sanders to be ready from day one. Furthermore, if he gets injured, or doesn’t perform, the next level is…Daine Laurie? Kaeo Weekes? I genuinely am baffled.

That’s simply not tenable. Canberra must find another half, ideally one with experience. Normally, this is where I’d say “oh, something’s probably coming in the next few days,” but the Milk have been digging all year and come up with little more than dirt. I’m not sure who’s even left for them to sign. There is talent in the pipeline beyond Sanders, but every concern the club seems to have of him would apply double to Callum Dowel or Jalen Asafamaga. These are kids, potentially being asked to do a man’s job.

This isn’t good. As people more handsome than me have recently noted, the Raiders have an infuriating habit of standing still after successful seasons rather than building on them. Post 2016 they suddenly needed big minutes from Dave Taylor. Post 2019 they found themselves cycling through replacements for BJ Leilua. Post 2025 it seems to be the backup half position.

Betting the success of 2025 on Sanders is one thing. He’s got the talent. He’s got the track record. He’s even already showed it in glimpses in first grade. Hoping that the continued development of Strange, Weekes and Pattie will be the difference that keeps your roster moving is also a mitigation. But going without another option is pushing all the chips in and adding in your pants. It can make you look silly even if you win the bet.

Canberra need a solution, and soon. Sanders is the future, and after the Pezet saga, the club does need to show him faith. But throwing a 21-year-old into the deep end with no safety net isn’t faith. It’s madness.

We’ll remain hopeful that the club has another plan coming. Because if they don’t this could be a real problem.

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