2026 Canberra Raiders NRL Depth Chart and Predicted Team

2026 Canberra Raiders Predicted Round 1 Team

Last season’s Minor Premiers stunned the NRL with how well they performed considering their roster.

This year, the Raiders will again be up against it with halfback Jamal Fogarty off to Manly. It means that Ethan Strange will be joined by 4-gamer Ethan Sanders in the halves.

The biggest selection headache for Ricky Stuart will be around the hooker rotation. Tom Starling and Owen Pattie rotated well in 2025, however, the Raiders have poached experienced #9 Jayden Brailey from the Knights.

Fullback: Kaeo Weekes
Left Wing: Savelio Tamale
Left Centre: Sebastian Kris
Right Centre: Matt Timoko
Right Wing: Xavier Savage
Left Half: Ethan Strange
Right Half: Ethan Sanders
Prop: Joseph Tapine
Hooker: Tom Starling
Prop: Josh Papali’i
Left 2nd Row: Hudson Young
Right 2nd Row: Zac Hosking
Lock: Corey Horsburgh

Bench: Jayden Brailey
Bench: Simi Sasagi
Bench: Matty Nicholson
Bench: Morgan Smithies

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2026 Canberra Raiders Squad

Ata Mariota, Chevy Stewart, Coby Black, Corey Horsburgh, Daine Laurie, Ethan Sanders, Ethan Strange, Hudson Young, Jake Clydsdale, Jayden Brailey, Jed Stuart, Joseph Tapine, Joe Roddy, Josh Papali'i, Kaeo Weekes, Matt Timoko, Matty Nicholson, Michael Asomua, Morgan Smithies, Myles Martin, Noah Martin, Owen Pattie, Savelio Tamale, Sebastian Kris, Simi Sasagi, Sione Finau, Tom Starling, Vena Patuki-Case, Xavier Savage, Zac Hosking

*Last updated 11 Jan 2026

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2026 Canberra Raiders Transfers

2026 gains: 

Jayden Brailey (Knights), Sione Finau (Dragons), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Coby Black (Broncos)

2026 losses: 

Jamal Fogarty (Sea Eagles), Pasami Saulo (Knights), Trey Mooney (Knights), Danny Levi (released), Albert Hopoate (Warrington), Jordan Martin (released), Adam Cook (Leigh), Manaia Waitere (Storm)

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2026 Canberra Raiders Depth Chart

*Last updated 9 Jan 2026

The Raiders focussed on recruited backs in the off-season, bringing on board utility back Daine Laurie, who can cover fullback, wing and the halves.

The Green Machine also invested in 7-gamer Sione Finau from the Dragons. It adds a bit of competition at wing spot, with Xavier Savage, Savelio Tamale and Jed Stuart also vying for the starting jerseys.

Sebastian Kris and Matt Timoko enter their 5th consecutive season as the Raiders’ go-to centre pairing. If one goes down Simi Sasagi is the first choice, but another injury will see the Raiders having to dive into some youth to fill the gap.

Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders will take some time to get their combination working in the halves for the Raiders. Schoolboy sensation Coby Black is waiting in the wings and could be called upon if injury hampers one of those players.

Jayden Brailey, Owen Pattie and Tom Starling will battle all season to be a part of the Raiders’ hooker rotation. Brailey was signed in April last year, before Starling and Pattie showed they were capable of being the #9 and #14 option for the club.

It will be interesting if Ricky gives the new recruit a start or keeps Pattie and Starling in the 17.

Josh Papali’i was destined to head to England in 2026, however, he wound back the clock last season to earn a contract extension for this year.

With this being his last season in the NRL, it is very likely that he won’t be starting every game for the Raiders, particularly with Ata Mariota and Corey Horsburgh lingering around.

Englishmen Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson will be fighting for starting spots all season. Nicholson impressed at starting 2nd row when Zac Hosking went down last season, however, he wasn’t able to reclaim his place in the starting 13 after succumbing to a leg injury.

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