The world’s worst-kept and least-sexy secret has finally been revealed, with the revelation that, as we all thought, the Canberra Raiders have signed Jaiyden Hunt, per the Canberra Times. It’s a two-year deal worth $350k per season in total (thanks JB!)
We said that it was neither surprising nor new when it was revealed the Raiders had made him an offer. The scuttlebutt had been so continuous we’d all been waiting for the drop like Skrillex doing Raiders content. So that it’s now official is more of a check box than anything.
Hunt is going to play middle for the Raiders, part of their ongoing search to replace the depth in their rotation. They’ve lost Horsburgh, Smithies, and Papalii from this year’s top 30, and with Jake Clydsdale leaving for QCup, and Vena Patuki-Case not signed (as far as we know), they need bodies. Hunt is exactly that.
He actually plays on the edge for the Broncos, but the reporting has suggested that the Raiders intend to turn him into a middle, presumably in a manner similar to Zac Hosking. A player to offer mobility through the middle, and a do the defensive grunt work, so players like Pattie/Taps/Ata can focus their big efforts on the other end. They’d also signed Lipoi Hopoi for a similar role recently, only for his ACL to decide to take a break instead.
And look, given the success they’ve had finding talent and turning it into something else (hello Simi Sasagi), I don’t hate the concept. Canberra always have to be creative, and finding new footpaths to the same pub has always been their modus operandi.
But let’s not pretend this signing is more than it is. Hunt is depth, can tackle, and shouldn’t be in the first-choice 17 unless something changes, or goes really wrong in the start of the year.
He’s representative of a problem that the Raiders have created over the last two seasons. Through some decisions about priority, and about personality, decent footy players have walked out the door, primarily from the middle rotation. Instead of a bridge to the next generation, they’re left looking for another way to get to where they need.
There’s a desperate need to fill their spots, but a lack of clarity about what’s on the market. The Raiders are hoping that talent falls into their lap, which is fair enough, but given the problem they face, it feels more and more tenuous. Reactive when being proactive provides more certainty. Hopefully the elimination of finals teams leads to roster change at the top of the market, and things fall out that Canberra can use.
Otherwise this isn’t a powerful addition; it doesn’t alter the depth chart in any realistic way. There isn’t a player from this season that should feel their minutes at risk from this decision, and given Stick’s competition philosophy, it’s not ideal. He wants players pushing each for minutes, and on a talent basis I’m not sure it has an impact there.
But Hunt is an honest player; a try-hard. An effort merchant. A professional, and I bet Stuart will love him. He may bring the best potato salad to the party, but he’ll help you clean up after. He’ll never be the centre of attention, but he’ll never be a problem either.
And at this point in their roster construction maybe that’s what the Raiders need. Depth. Hardwork. Consistency. All things Canberra at their best have in abundance, and now have to find again.
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