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Tackles and Tinnies - E39 - Canberra Raiders 2025 Review & 2026 Preview
15 Plays2 months ago
The Raiders were the 2025 minor premiers — and now the question is simple: was that the ceiling… or the new standard? In this episode of our 17-part 2026 NRL mini-series, Ryan breaks down how Canberra got to 1st (19 wins) and why 2026 might be the year they turn “regular season bullies” into the real deal when it matters.
We get into:
- What made the Raiders so hard to play against in 2025 (and what still worries us)
- Recruitment & depth moves: Ethan Sanders, Myles Martin, Savelio Tamale added, plus Josh Papali’i locked in for 2026
- 2026 Strength of Schedule: SOS rank 14 (easier), and the teams they play twice (including Sharks, Bulldogs, Panthers, Storm, Rabbitohs)
- The key mid-year stretch Ricky has circled before Origin bites
- Ladder prediction: Ryan’s call has Canberra finishing 4th — but “receipts will be kept.”
Raiders fans — Cap or Fact: 2025 proved you’re a top-4 lock… or 2026 exposes it? Drop your ladder spot in the comments. 🟢⚪️💬
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Transcript
00:00:00
Speaker
What's good, Tackles and Tinneys listeners? Welcome back to the show. As you guys can see, I've gone full multimodal. I'm mixing things up. I want to get some feedback from you guys ah for future episodes. We've gone back to Riverside. We used to use Zencaster as our software service. However,
00:00:17
Speaker
But Riversides allows us to get some screen sharing motions. And I think getting that um multimodal presence, and typical school teacher, let's be honest. But having that multimodal presence, you guys can read it along as well, get some prompts. um But we get that face to face as well. Let me know if you like this new type of setup or I can revert back to just my face on the screen or would you like a split screen again? ah But yeah, that feedback for me, really, really important. But let's just try this.
00:00:44
Speaker
But guys, those who are following along, welcome back to the show. We're doing every single team in the rugby league spectrum from the bottom to the top. We've done every single team in order bar a couple. By now, you would have seen Chris with the Tigers, Morgan with the Rabbitohs, a couple of supercoach here and there.
00:01:03
Speaker
But I want to leave the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos to very last because I think we've got to give them their roses being in the grand final. which means the Canberra Raiders are now up. So Raiders fans, rally around this one.
00:01:16
Speaker
You've got, I guess, the luxury of ah going multimodal, which is unreal. But let's get straight into it, if I can i figure this out. So there we go. Top of the ladder, number one.
00:01:27
Speaker
ah They were the best team in the comp in the regular season. Best, you have to get in the top four to give a chance of a grand final. We're going to get to that scenario with Ethan Strange having a bit of ah a hurdle with that. However, we'll get to that soon.
00:01:42
Speaker
But in regards to how they went, their snapshot, 19 wins, zero draws, five losses with a positive differentiation of 148 points. that The fourth best attack and the sixth best off defense.
00:01:55
Speaker
I think you've got to be almost a top four team or the one of the best attacking teams. Yes, they were the one of the best attacking teams, but I mean like team one or two. You sort of get that compensation.
00:02:06
Speaker
If we can reflect to the Broncos-Raiders games without skipping too far ahead, there was definitely situations in that game where they looked pretty lackluster in defense, particularly when the Broncos start getting a roll on.
00:02:18
Speaker
That's probably what cost them. Well, cost you guys, I should be saying. But yeah, let's just get keep going. But they finished comfortably above powerhouses like the Storm, who were second. Bulldogs, who were third. Asserting their dominance with it again. A positive differentiation, 148 points.
00:02:34
Speaker
Were they as good as the Storm and the Broncos in the final series? I will say not. But that probably comes down to Ethan Strange not being there. So the rise or the Raiders, a season of triumphant.
00:02:46
Speaker
I've just got some key points here. So the youth movement. KO Weeks popping off. He had that bit of a struggle midway through the year under the high ball. I thought he recovered very, very well. um Ethan Strange, absolute gun. They signed Sanders. I thought that's gonna be fantastic for the 2026 season.
00:03:05
Speaker
Savage had a bit of resurgence, ah getting dropped a couple of times or not giving a fair go the season prior. Tamalei, out of nowhere. I thought he was probably one of your best, to be honest, especially on the wing. Missed him a little bit there, here and there when he was injured. But all those young fellas coming through and or signing, I even missed Kobe Black in there.
00:03:26
Speaker
You've got a young, hungry squad built for the future and the current. Huge. Pack mentality. So you guys are full pack. As the saying goes, you stack the pack.
00:03:36
Speaker
Papali'i, Tapanay, Horse, Hudson Young, Morgan Smithies. Yeah, Matty Nicholson when he was healthy.
00:03:47
Speaker
So many other guys that we we're going to give roses to later on. But I thought your four pack is arguably the best in the competition with youth and experience and a bit of athleticism on both parties.
00:03:59
Speaker
So your home ground advantage, I thought at GIO Stadium, you guys are absolutely unreal. So unlucky when it came to the ah the final series, losing to the Broncos first.
00:04:11
Speaker
Yeah, that was devastating for you guys. Absolutely devastating. But winter in Canberra, different atmosphere, and you guys are built different. I love when I'm on Fox Sports or Channel 9, and I'm watching you guys do the Viking clack. That is culture. That is amazing to see on TV.
00:04:28
Speaker
The ultimate question, though, despite your minor premiership, the lingering question was whether you could convert this regular season test into a grand final victory. 2025 did not result into that. 2026, maybe. We'll have to see.
00:04:42
Speaker
So again, let's give some r roses to some certain players. I think most players actually exceeded expectations, but i definitely want to give you it a shout out to Ethan Strange.
00:04:53
Speaker
Genuine, long-term, number six, can play center in a pinch. ah Could probably play fullback in a pinch. Arguably could probably play 5'8". Oh, not five eight Could play lock in a pinch.
00:05:04
Speaker
anywhere on the field. He's just a genuine footballer, absolute gun. Dally M5A to the year. you got a kangaroos call up. Didn't end up getting any minutes. However, fantastic to be around those type of players. Um,
00:05:18
Speaker
with that type of experience. He's only going to be better for the run home. Tom Starling. What can we say about him? He had competitions for spot. He had Owen Paddy, Danny Levi, and Tom Starling was that impact player off the bench for many, many years. Tom Starling had that conversation with Ricky Stewart at the back end of last year saying, I want to be a starter. I want to play big minutes.
00:05:39
Speaker
And I thought he... by far was one of your most consistent and best players. And what I loved about Tom Starling was the energy and the leadership that he brings.
00:05:49
Speaker
He's a very good talker. He's got that dog in him. um Everything that he does on and off the field ah is just winning culture. I love Tom Starling and I hope he ah continues that great success into 2026. KO Weeks, again, as I mentioned earlier on,
00:06:09
Speaker
Definitely had a bit of a rough patch under the high ball, but he got that out of his game within a couple of weeks. So many highlight reels. One of the fastest guys in the competition.
00:06:20
Speaker
Can play in the halves if need be. I think he's palmed off Chevy Stewart. I think he's got that fullback position on lock. He made so many winning plays. I remember when I was at Magic Round. We're going to talk about that potentially later on the podcast.
00:06:34
Speaker
But, yeah, that Magic Round play against the Melbourne Storm, unreal in the wet. I think guys like Morgan Smithies and Corey Horsborough, had that grunt in the middle, that aggro that you guys needed to ah go with those big top packs.
00:06:50
Speaker
I think you guys did that in tenfold. Again, both those boys can play big minutes if need be. Yeah, they that oh that was the aggression we'd like to see. Tapen Ainyoung also fantastic.
00:07:02
Speaker
I thought your wingers and Tamale and Savage, very, very good. Jed Stewart was very serviceable, but definitely Savage and Tamale were your two first choice wingers. Absolutely unreal. Work rate, speed, athleticism, youth, all those things go a very long way.
00:07:21
Speaker
Disappointments or question marks? I think Jamal Fogarty probably in the final series was the biggest question mark. Couldn't ice that Broncos game. And then the preceding week, both times was a bit of a letdown.
00:07:35
Speaker
He's gone to the Raiders. I mean, he's left the Raiders to go to the Manly Seagulls. Ethan Sanders come in. Kobe Black could potentially a sniff there. think you're going to miss his leadership.
00:07:48
Speaker
And there's definitely question marks around that. We'll see. I thought he was good overall. Very steady hand. Definitely was lackluster at parts, however. Look at that, guys. Multimodal.
00:08:01
Speaker
Some statement wins. Okay, some crucial victories against fellow premiership contenders and a clear message across the league. Definitely one of the biggest ones was ah the Melbourne Storm game at Magic Round when you guys KOX did essentially the chip kick over at the very end. Beats Pappenhausen slide literally right in front of you behind the post.
00:08:20
Speaker
Unreal. Arguably, again, another one. This picture here with the Penrith Panthers. Cleary goes to the field goal. The commentators thought they'd got it. Hits the crossbar. Jed Stewart catches it.
00:08:32
Speaker
Off to Ethan Strange. Support play with K.O. Weeks. Pretty much run the entire field. I think it was like 105 meters or something crazy. What a try. Canberra's could score anywhere on the park, and that's what we'd love to see.
00:08:46
Speaker
On the road. So your road always said the young spine is building to win tight games away. Huge. Okay, again, Raiders have to travel a fair bit due to not being an accumulator to Sydney.
00:08:59
Speaker
I thought, again, youth can be very, very good in regards to recovery and the lack of experience could have been detrimental at parts of the season. However, all of your young players went above and beyond.
00:09:13
Speaker
I can't really say anything bad about the Raiders at all, to be honest. Papali's return, I thought, a guy who ah almost retired and left the league. He's re-upped again for another year. He got the call-up back again for the Queensland Maroons.
00:09:28
Speaker
Billy Soto, he knows what he's doing. um But Papali broke the club's record in terms of most games. He had that amazing kick. And i remember another awesome moment. Ricky Stewart on the sideline was tearing up after Papali got that kick. That's the stuff you love to see. That is culture building. That is a place where you want to play. That is why I predict you guys will do very well for 2026. So it's going to some roster shakeups. So new faces and departures. Key gains for 2026.
00:09:57
Speaker
You've got Jaden Braley coming from the Newcastle Knights. Essentially, he's a one-for-one with Danny Levi. Levi gone. Jaden Braley in. So again, good hooker depth. I don't predict he'll get much game time of Owen Paddy coming off the bench. And Tom Starling definitely solidifying that role.
00:10:14
Speaker
Sianna for now, a versatile project player, middle edge, definitely could be a smoky for the extended bench. Guys, I'm so happy that I stuck with it. For those who've been watching along, the top 19 players, we'll get to that soon. But does he make the bench?
00:10:29
Speaker
Time will tell. Dane Lowe's come for the Penrith Panthers, utility outside back, fullback, 5'8", center, wing, you name it, he can play it. He's definitely a guy who I think is an awesome picker now, particularly with that new 19 bench rule.
00:10:44
Speaker
Maybe we'll have determine if he makes the extended bench. But I think he's going great coverage for you guys. Kobe Black, huge signing. Huge signing. You lose Fogarty. Now you got two absolute young guns coming through in Black and Sanders.
00:11:01
Speaker
Could be a long-term halves. What does that spell for Ethan Strange long-term? Could be Locke. Could be Locke. I don't know. Josh Papali's got one more year. Maybe you play Ethan Strange again. We'll save that conversation later on the podcast.
00:11:14
Speaker
Notable losses. We just talked about Jamal Fogarty. He's gone. He's gone to the Manly Seagulls, but he's got experience. He's got experience. He's played a lot of big games. Very steady hand. Great kicking game.
00:11:25
Speaker
Yeah, we'll see. ah Solo, Mooney, again, young middle dynamic forwards, but you have so much depth. So much depth. David's never going to get a crack. I think Trey Moon is going to be starting for the ah Newcastle Knights, particularly. He's in my super coach team at the moment with that dual position at 430k. But yeah, big loss, but you have so much depth. So much depth.
00:11:49
Speaker
Danny Levi, he was the backup's backup for Hooker. Experienced head. Doesn't really affect you guys too much. I thought probably Albert Hopper, why is the biggest guy to talk about here?
00:12:01
Speaker
ah Was potentially going to be starting over Tamal at the start of the year. And then he had that ACL injury. And then just couldn't get back into the squad after the ACL. Wish him all the best.
00:12:13
Speaker
But yeah, most of those guys aren't going to affect your team too much besides the Jamal Fogarty loss. ah But yeah, amazing to see again, as I reiterated before, Josh Papali'i re-signing for 2026.
00:12:27
Speaker
Now, you guys, you're projected top 17, and then we're going to have to discuss the top 19. So, you're outside backs. I've got KO weeks.
00:12:38
Speaker
Lock and load. No change there. I think that's pretty straightforward. So fast, so athletic, only getting better and more confident, and especially after he lost a little bit of confidence under the high ball.
00:12:51
Speaker
Amale and Savage on the wings, no changes there. Very young, very dynamic, already spoken, gave them their roses. In the centres, no changes again from 2025. I've got Timico and Sebastian Chris, both New Zealand representatives, both absolute guns. Powerhouse is strong, great in defence, good energy, very solid. Mate, you're back five for the Campbell Raiders. Unreal.
00:13:15
Speaker
In the halves, I've got Ethan Strange, Daly M5A to the year, absolute gun, eyes up football, Cameron Munster-esque. He's only going to improve with more game time.
00:13:27
Speaker
Huge, huge loss when he was injured ah or sick. Might have been sick. Yeah, I think he had like the flu or something. Really bad flu. Hectic. You know, he must have been cooked if he like missed the semifinal.
00:13:41
Speaker
Ethan Sanders, he's got the first crack of hardback position. He'll also you be your goal kicker in my eyes. Well, Ricky Stewart said that, not me. But ah Kobe Black definitely sniffing up the rear.
00:13:54
Speaker
Kobe Black and Sanders could potentially get a crack together at some point in the halves in 2026. Let me know on in the comments, guys, if you think that might be the case. In the middles, I've got Josh Papali'i and Joey Tarpanay.
00:14:09
Speaker
Definitely see them reigniting back into the ah the middle. Very steady hands. Great experience. Huge motors. Got that dog in him.
00:14:20
Speaker
Yeah, very happy with him. Hudson Young, Zach Hosking on the edges. Again, no change. Common theme, guys. A very common theme here. But Hudson Young, Australian representative, absolute gun. Zach Hosking went into his own.
00:14:36
Speaker
Morgan Smithies, he pretty much took his job. Once Smithies went out injured, hod ah Zach Hosking went above and beyond. ah Manny Nicholson couldn't get back in that starting team. I am hearing Murvis, however... Matty Nicholson is starting for you guys. So that's definitely a preseason watch. Hosking and Matty Nicholson could be a swap.
00:14:55
Speaker
But guys, let me know in the comments, do you reckon Matty Nicholson and Zach Hosking should swap positions and Hosking come on the bench? Or do you reckon Hosking still deserves to be in the starting position? Let me know the comments.
00:15:08
Speaker
At hooker, I've got Tommy Starling. I've given him roses already, but I think the leadership, the grunt, the grit, um the vocal leader of your team. He's the hardened soul, really.
00:15:21
Speaker
He's the energizer bunny. i love what he does on social media for you guys as well. Fantastic. Tom Starling, absolute gun. Can even play a little bit of lock if need be with Owen Paddy coming on.
00:15:34
Speaker
Corey Horsburgh starting at lock. Definitely could have a chance with ah Morgan Smithies there if need be. But I think Corey Horsburgh provides that experience, that aggression that we need coming off the but ah coming from the starting team.
00:15:48
Speaker
Definitely could be ah an Origin or Queensland representative for 2026 as well. Guys, let me know as well. Do you reckon Horsburgh got snubbed in 2026? Well, we obviously won as Queenslanders, but yeah, definitely an interesting conversation. I thought Horsburgh was good enough to make the team.
00:16:05
Speaker
Coming off the pint, your first four. Okay, and I apologize, guys. I haven't got the last two on there because the Gamma AI can never trust AI. But, yeah, I'll add the other two at the very end.
00:16:16
Speaker
Owen Paddy, I believe he will be coming off the bench over Jaden Braley. Young Gunn, ah He's a very young, inexperienced version of Harry Grant in my eyes there. That's probably like his upside comp.
00:16:29
Speaker
Obviously, Harry Grant's probably top three hooker of all time. um So it's big shoes to fill. But what I saw from Owen Paddy, great running game, developing a kicking game. Obviously, good service and Dummy Half. Sammy Sasangi, I thought he was unreal for you guys.
00:16:44
Speaker
Great athleticism. Definitely could be seen as a starter for many teams. thought he filled in at 5'8 for you guys in the final series. Definitely did a job there.
00:16:58
Speaker
Very athletic, very versatile. Perfect guy coming off the bench for you. Can play middle or edge. Matty Nicholson, we were just giving a bit of a comparison before with Zach Hosky and Matty Nicholson.
00:17:09
Speaker
I thought he had a fantastic first year for you guys at that starting edge position. Obviously had a couple of injuries, which then made him go back to the bench. Yeah, 1A, 1B. Nicholson and Hudson, not Hudson Young, Zach Hosky and Matty Nicholson definitely could be interchangeable.
00:17:24
Speaker
Definitely hearing murmurs again that Nicholson will be starting on the edge with Hudson Young. um But yeah, very, very good. Very, very good ah back row rotation there.
00:17:36
Speaker
Morgan Smith is, again, we compared him to Corey Hawes. Both those guys, very aggressive, hardworking, tackle bot-based players. You need that dog in your team. Morgan Smith is, Corey Hawes, but one for one. You're going to have that consistent punch.
00:17:52
Speaker
Now, Jersey A team, which isn't on the screen, but my assumption is going to be Dane Laurie. Dane Laurie for sure. I'm going to say Dane Laurie because he can play 5'8".
00:18:04
Speaker
He can definitely play in the outside backs, chuck them on the wing, center, fullback. Played fantastically when Dylan Edwards was not there for the Penrith Panthers last year. But yeah, I definitely think Dane Laurie will be in that squad.
00:18:17
Speaker
And I think one of the Martin boys, either Noah Martin or Myles Martin, will get a crack in the top 19. Maybe Noah. Maybe Noah. I think Myles Martin's a bit of a super coach nuff for many people, so i think they're hoping he doesn't make the team. But I think Noah Martin or Myles Martin will get that last jersey spot. If I'm missing someone, guys, please let me know in the comments. Oriotta, for example, could be ah another Smokey there. Now, Smokey Picks, again, you've got utility battle.
00:18:49
Speaker
Dane Laurie, again, I think he's going to be the next man up if ah there's an injury to the outside backs. However, Chevy Stewart was definitely tipped to be a potential Smokey start last year at fullback over KO Weeks. He's definitely there.
00:19:04
Speaker
But Chevy Stewart is off contract. So that's an interesting look. Will they re-up him now that KO Weeks has solidified that fullback position? Not sure.
00:19:16
Speaker
Adame Mateora as a middle rotation. Again, I think it's going to be him or one of the Marden boys fighting for that final position on the extended bench. Jaden Braley as well. I don't think he gets that position due to the fact that you've already got Owen Paddy and Tom Starling. I think Jaden Braley has missed out.
00:19:34
Speaker
Very confusing signing for Braley. I think he could have been a backup for another team. Yeah, I don't get that. Again, great for the Raiders, or great for you guys, but I don't see him getting a job.
00:19:51
Speaker
Time will tell. Centre wing shuffle, again, Sebastian, Chris, Timico, they're locked in the centres. If one of your boys goes down the wing, as in Savage and or Tamale, definitely one of those boys would shift out.
00:20:06
Speaker
Maybe even a Dane Laurie, definitely could even be a Jed Stewart, Ricky Stewart's son, all in there or abouts. Now your half succession plan, Kobe Black, obviously being your halfback coming from the Brisbane Broncos, touted as a very high-level prospect, blue-chip prospect.
00:20:26
Speaker
ah Queensland under-19s representative, absolute gun. Him and Sanders could definitely be pairing at some point throughout the year. If there's are a few injuries or if Sanders underperforms, I do believe Kobe Black has a bit of a nerve damage in his neck currently. So he's definitely not going to be there round one, ah but maybe long-term throughout the year, they blood Kobe Black if he's knocking on that door, maybe even gets a chance on the extended bench.
00:20:53
Speaker
We'll see. How's this guy's loving the multimodal here? Let me see if I can blow this up for you. Um, There we go. So navigating the 2026 fixture.
00:21:04
Speaker
How good this? I'm proud of myself. ah We got key matchups. So we got You've got two games against the Sharkies, two games against the Doggies, Panthers, Knights, Cowboys, Tigers, Storm, Rabbitohs.
00:21:17
Speaker
Tough. Tough, tough, tough. I think the Sharks, they're very good defensively. So I might see you guys struggle there a little bit. Bulldogs, again, another very tough schedule. They're very good defensively. Well, Pernod Panthers due for a more consistent bounce back.
00:21:36
Speaker
The Knights should be better than they were, but you're definitely better than them on paper. Cowboys, one day they could put 50 on you. Next day, you're putting 50 on them. So who knows about them?
00:21:47
Speaker
Tigers, you're definitely better than them, but they might be competitive. Melbourne Storm, they're going hard. We can all agree, guys. They're going very, very hard. They're a very stacked team, even with the losses of Nass, Katoa, and Papi.
00:22:00
Speaker
And the Rabbitohs. tame engineed Team they seem healthy at the start of the year. So ah depending where you verse them, which I think going off the chart in front of round 20 and round six.
00:22:15
Speaker
Okay, so you're versing the Rabideaus at Optus Stadium in Perth, and then you're going to be versing them at home at round 20 in Canberra. So there's two games to watch there. But this is your strength of schedule, guys.
00:22:26
Speaker
So for those who don't know, i look at Fox Sports and they've given every single team a ranking.
00:22:34
Speaker
17 being the easiest and one being the hardest. You guys got 14. Unreal. You guys must be happy. You had a fantastic griev your season. Bit of a disappointing final series. However, you should be able to back it up in 2026 with the 14th strength of schedule, which means you're at the very, very best season.
00:22:54
Speaker
or lowest end of the r strength side of things. Again, we talked about the teams versus twice. You had 12 games against 2025 top eight sides with six against top four teams and five games against the bottom four teams. Guys, I think the strength of schedule is a bit how you're going. Reason why I say that is because I think every team on their day in 2026 can win.
00:23:20
Speaker
I'm honestly thinking that every team has gotten so much better. Everyone's teams are a lot deeper. I honestly think any team can win. That's how good it is.
00:23:32
Speaker
which is great for TV, great for listening and our viewership, but doesn't really help the strength of schedule in my eyes. Tell me if I'm wrong, guys. Tell me if I'm wrong. Don't bag the Titans, though.
00:23:44
Speaker
Buy in home form. You got a late buy in round 26. Provide a crucial freshen up before finals. You could even give two weeks. Give and give two weeks against the Cowboys, depending where you guys are ranked. If you've locked in a top four position, you could even give guys two weeks off.
00:24:00
Speaker
Would you want two weeks off, guys, or would you reckon you play everyone in round 27, even if you've locked in a top four team? Let me know in the comments. Unique quirk, you've no home game until round three. Faux-Buy, critical four-week block at GIO. So you've got Panthers, Finns, Cowboys, Roosters.
00:24:17
Speaker
Three of those four teams, I'm not going to say which Queensland team, Cowboys. um Yeah, I think those games will be very, very tough. Can that homestead be ah good enough? We'll see.
00:24:30
Speaker
Now, big questions and bold predictions to your 2026 outlook. Can you win at all? I think so. I think so. i think your depth across the park in every single position is unreal.
00:24:43
Speaker
Is this spine got enough experience and or confidence to go to the next level? That I'm unsure of. I think you guys look pretty rattled after you losing to the Broncos in that Devastating. I mean, devastating loss. I was upstairs watching this game with my family. I'm like, Broncos are cooked.
00:25:01
Speaker
Broncos are so cooked. Walsh is off. Paddy Carrigan's off. You guys are up like three tries. And then bang, bang, bang, bang. Try, try, try. You guys are up two points at the very end of the game. Walsh goes to the 40-meter field goal.
00:25:18
Speaker
Zach Hosking whacks his knee. Can't do that. Gets a kick in front of the post. And then we all know what happens after that. Ben Hunt, see you later, champ. But that was a devastating battle wound. But I think you've got to earn some scars and get some baggage to go to the next level.
00:25:36
Speaker
Who knows? It could be a blessing in disguise to you guys. Am I cap or fact on that comment, guys? Hooker Harmony, how do you balance between Starling, Paddy, and maybe even Braley? Does Braley get a crack, guys? Does he get on the extended bench? I don't predict so. I think Starling and Paddy are definitely going to be a two rotation players.
00:25:57
Speaker
Would Braley potentially get a release? I'm not sure. think he's going quite disgruntled not getting any our first grade time. let me know in the comments. Your halves experience, I think this is your biggest variable. Obviously, Ethan Strange is a gun.
00:26:10
Speaker
Absolute gun. 5'8 Dallium. Medal of the Year. Alien. Kangaroos. Caller. Could be getting a smoky call up for New South Wales this year. However, Ethan Sanders has not played first grade. Kobe Black has not played first grade. Your halfback situation is very scary.
00:26:26
Speaker
ah So that's definitely a variable to look at. Is the kicking game going to be good enough? Time will tell. Time will tell. And your four-pack longevity. Obviously, Big Papa. ah he's gup He's up there in age. Tarpanese had a lot of wear and tear. Corey Hawes, yeah, he's had some injuries, had been out of the game here and there.
00:26:45
Speaker
Hudson Young, he's had a big year with representative football. Have they got enough depth? I think so. i think they're goingnna maintain intensity and I wouldn't be surprised if they rest players throughout the year due to the fact that they do have that depth and some guys coming through, particularly like guys like Tapané and Big Pop-Up.
00:27:05
Speaker
So, ladder prediction. You guys got first in the regular season last year. I think for 2026, I've got you guys between third and fifth. And for guys who are following along, I feel like I've set a few teams for third and fifth. I don't see you guys necessarily dropping out of the top eight. I think overall your pack and your ah outside backs will carry you home.
00:27:25
Speaker
Obviously, there is a question mark regarding Ethan Sanders and Kobe Black in the halves. But I think the extended bench will help you guys as well. definitely help you guys. But yeah, I've got you guys third to fifth.
00:27:37
Speaker
Definitely high potential of locking in a top four position. Where do you guys think the Raiders will are end up in 2026? Will they be a top 14? Will they go back to back minor premiers?
00:27:49
Speaker
Do they need to be top four or are they that stacked? Let me know in the comments below. But guys, That's our podcast. That was much shorter version of the way doing before. I want your feedback in the ah comments, guys. Do you want me to revert back to the ah the old way or do you like the multimodal setup or do you want me to just add more slides in? Let me know. But it's been ah been unreal, guys. See if I can ah figure this out. But, yeah, it's been unreal.
00:28:15
Speaker
um See you back here. Yep, it's been unreal. Love you all. Next episode should be the Melbourne Storm as I'm still figuring out this r is ah riverside setup.
00:28:29
Speaker
ah But yeah, it's been really good, guys. Appreciate all you guys. Like, share, subscribe, comment. I'm working through these technical difficulties. I'm only going to get better with more practice. ah Let me know if you like this format or you want me to go back to the old format.
00:28:44
Speaker
Or do you want me to add more content in? Normally, the podcast, we're going for about 45 minutes. This one's just under half an hour. Let me know in the comments. But yeah, tell a friend, guys. Get the engagement going. i appreciate you all.
00:28:57
Speaker
ah Enjoy your weekend.