BY DAN

The Canberra Raiders confirmed that Coby Black would be joining the club on a three-year deal, effective immediately.

It’s quick work. When it was announced the Broncos had released him we’d expected he’d be in Canberra colours by the end of the week. The earth didn’t even make a full orbit of the sun full spin on its axis before Black was announced as a signatory by the club. Normally we get a journo drop and a bit of time to panic if this will get upended in some horrible way. There wasn’t even time to worry this time around.

As we’ve covered ad nauseum, it plonks Black right in the middle of a ding-dong positional battle with Ethan Sanders. The more I think about this the more I think that Sanders is in the lead and will be given first crack. Stuart has put too much emphasis on wanting to start ‘coach’ Black up, implying that with halves there’s always a need for more time. The recruit is only 19. He’s got a lot of learning ahead of him, and it’s common knowledge that Stick has some views on how halves should play. 

It makes sense that Sanders, who has already been learning those lessons, would be ahead of Black. But given the club’s investment in the new player, the almost fawning praise from the coach, and the talent coming in, it’s reasonable to think that Black will be pushing for that starting job quickly. Black’s contract goes a full season longer than Sanders too – is it a sign of anything other than the signing timing? Is this a ‘prove-it-or-lose-it’ scenario for Sanders? I don’t know, and maybe neither does Sanders. It may be hard to keep him in town if he feels boxed out.

And that ultimately is the biggest challenge of this whole enterprise. The Raiders have gone from zero future halfbacks to two in a matter of years. Both players came to town because they want to play first grade and the opportunities to do so at their previous clubs didn’t allow that. Both players are good enough to play *somewhere* if Canberra doesn’t afford them that option. How long can they co-exist? At some point you’re making a decision between Simon Woolford or Luke Priddis.

It’s critical that whoever is given the keys that patience is maintained. At some point in the next season both will be given an opportunity, and if the Raiders aren’t successful most will be able to look at 2025 and 2026 and work out the difference. I would caution against burning either player too quickly, let alone both. These young halves should be afforded all the patience and coaching in the world, so long as they remain willing to receive it Canberra.

It will be a test of Stuart’s communication, man management and ability to temper and manage the expectations of both players, and the fandom. Ultimately that appeals to me. He could have sat still, hoped Sanders was the answer, and leaned on excuses if 2026 went sideways. Instead, he’s backing himself to get the best out of the situation. There’s no complacency here, just a clear intent to get talent through the door and let it fight its way to the top.

It’s also a celebration of the Raiders youth movement, and their ability to continue to recruit the best young talent in the game. Not all of Strange, Pattie, Sanders, Martin, Martin, Tamale, Stewart, and now Black will hit, but so far, so fan-fucking-tastic. In 2026 they’ll have an entire backline aged 26 and under, with somewhere between three and five members of their forwards and bench in the same bracket. Combined with the elder statesmen, highly talented in their own right, it proved an effective mixture in 2025. If they can get this seven solution right, it could be immediately successful. If they land this decision, it could be the foundation of something generational.

So welcome Coby Black. Here’s your hard hat and your tool belt. The Raiders are building something, and you might well be a critical part. Time to get to work.

All of our distribution pathways are closing down so sign up to the email below before we disappear from your feed altogether. Or you can like the page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.