BY DAN

As most predicted, the Canberra Raiders will have Coby Black in their stable sooner rather than later, confirmed by the Broncos’ decision to release him this evening.

First reported by the Canberra Times, it confirms an outcome we had suspected from the start. With so many halves on their roster, there just wasn’t any benefit for the Broncos to keep Black around. Why have him compete with Duffy for minutes in QCup? Or the scraps left by Reynolds’ injuries, when you have resources that have in effect created a pipeline longer than Druzhba? Oh you lost one of the best young talents in the competition? No problem. Just slot in the next wunderkind.

For Canberra they gain another young half, and at the very least roster depth that was perilously thin at the position. Given that six weeks ago we were talking Jackson Hastings and Daine Laurie, it’s an pleasing turnaround. Canberra rarely has one prospect like this at halfback. Now they have a couple. It’s good to have land.

While the decision means that the Raiders finally have more depth on the roster, it’s always been more about competition to push Ethan Sanders, and a commitment to stockpiling young talent. Ricky Stuart has been emphatic in his post‑signing comments: he wanted Black here quickly, he wanted him to challenge Sanders, and he sees him as a highly gifted footballer. The praise has been relentless, and it’s hard to interpret it as anything but a direct challenge to Sanders. This wasn’t a casual move. They want Black because they see him as a potential halfback of the future.

As for now? Well by the time you read this Black will probably be on a plane to Canberra. They have his long-term signature, they’ve created the roster spot, and they’ve spent the last two weeks publicly praising him. This is as good as done for 2026 and beyond. My guess is he’ll be in town by the weekend, set on battling Sanders for the starting job for round one.

Whether he gets it remains an open question. Like noted rugby league enthusiast Candi Stanton said, young halves run free, and whoever emerges out of what promises to be a tense positional battle over the pre-season will be better for it. Despite the commentary from Stuart the only thing that will matter is what happens on the field. For all his faults Coach Stuart has a good track record of working out who has what it takes.

The Raiders aren’t just signing a prospect, they’re putting the entire side on notice. Not even the long-heralded coming of Ethan Sanders, whom they allowed Jamal Fogarty to leave to foster his opportunity, is guaranteed. All spots are earned, all minutes won through effort and execution. There is no queue to stand in line and wait your turn. There is just a job to be won and blood to be spilled (metaphorically). If Sanders wins the job then he earned it. If Black does then it was obtained justly. Either way the club’s future will be forged in the fire of competition, not complacency.

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