Recruitment and Retention for 2026

[Edward]

Raiders may not sign up Sione Finau -

"Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed the ladder leaders are considering backing out of talks with young Dragons winger Sione Finau after his management leaked details of their visit to Canberra HQ to Sydney media.
Stuart told The Canberra Times that what was “meant to be a private meeting” was leaked by Finau’s management, adding that his deal with the club is “at risk” as a result.

Stuart told The Canberra Times that what was “meant to be a private meeting” was leaked by Finau’s management, adding that his deal with the club is “at risk” as a result.

The Raiders coach is reportedly looking to strengthen the club’s outside back stocks given Canberra is without Albert Hopoate (knee), Savelio Tamale (knee) and Sebastian Kris (concussion) at the moment.

Finau himself is out injured after dislocating his shoulder in last week’s loss to the Bulldogs and has played just three full games this year for the Dragons.

Finau is off-contract at the end of the year."

Hope we can keep him.

 

[TheRev]

Campbell is the one rumoured to be let go (he would have to agree however), Kini is their best and AJ is on a ridiculously long contract..

Would be great for us, would much prefer him as a fullback to someone like Chevy Stewart.. hes already first grade hardened and ready now... could also play him as a 6 or 7 if it worked better.

 

[RedV01]

Campbell is the one rumoured to be let go (he would have to agree however), Kini is their best and AJ is on a ridiculously long contract..

Would be great for us, would much prefer him as a fullback to someone like Chevy Stewart.. hes already first grade hardened and ready now... could also play him as a 6 or 7 if it worked better.

Campbell fullback, Gutherson in the halves mentoring Kade Reed on life in first grade in general. If he can't make the transition, NSW Cup (C). I was slammed for slamming the signing of Gutherson. Even got PMs over it. He's a good player. No doubt about it at all. I always said that. He's too slow, not explosive enough to be a good fullback these days. His strengths as a fullback would be better still if he was in the halves.

 

[GCRV]

Campbell fullback, Gutherson in the halves mentoring Kade Reed on life in first grade in general. If he can't make the transition, NSW Cup (C). I was slammed for slamming the signing of Gutherson. Even got PMs over it. He's a good player. No doubt about it at all. I always said that. He's too slow, not explosive enough to be a good fullback these days. His strengths as a fullback would be better still if he was in the halves.

Friday was the worst game he's had. Gutho I mean. Yesterday was one of the best Campbell has played. Why it's unlikely Titans will let him go.

 

[Dragon David]

Friday was the worst game he's had. Gutho I mean. Yesterday was one of the best Campbell has played. Why it's unlikely Titans will let him go.

Money talks GCRV. Let's make it happen. He will be similar to Ben Barba in a way as a fullback - he has speed, always there to back up but he also has other skills like all kicking requirements and raw natural ingrained natural talent which you cannot beat. He isn't a show pony. He just gets on with the job and if the forwards are doing their jobs properly, he is laughing.

 

[GCRV]

Money talks GCRV. Let's make it happen. He will be similar to Ben Barba in a way as a fullback - he has speed, always there to back up but he also has other skills like all kicking requirements and raw natural ingrained natural talent which you cannot beat. He isn't a show pony. He just gets on with the job and if the forwards are doing their jobs properly, he is laughing.

Hope you're right.

 

[TheRev]

I think Daniel Anderson as started or is starting this week.. the club didnt specify but the journos said that.. wonder how fast he can work lol.. he needs to do a huge assessment I assume of the squad and the pathway talent... I thought maybe a contract to Liu or Heidke would be possible before end of year.. but Heidkes been injured a few weeks now.. and Liu im all good to see but hes not gonna move the needle much on getting a win.. hes prob better off helping the NSW Cup side.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Plan might be to do what so many people have been wanting. Go with youth. In this case Jesse Williams and Lyric Craft-Te Moananui. Finau is the best winger we have but he's not one of the best wingers.

We peasants live in hope. Our best finisher but not our best winger, is that what you are trying to say?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Raiders may not sign up Sione Finau -

"Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed the ladder leaders are considering backing out of talks with young Dragons winger Sione Finau after his management leaked details of their visit to Canberra HQ to Sydney media.
Stuart told The Canberra Times that what was “meant to be a private meeting” was leaked by Finau’s management, adding that his deal with the club is “at risk” as a result.

Stuart told The Canberra Times that what was “meant to be a private meeting” was leaked by Finau’s management, adding that his deal with the club is “at risk” as a result.

The Raiders coach is reportedly looking to strengthen the club’s outside back stocks given Canberra is without Albert Hopoate (knee), Savelio Tamale (knee) and Sebastian Kris (concussion) at the moment.

Finau himself is out injured after dislocating his shoulder in last week’s loss to the Bulldogs and has played just three full games this year for the Dragons.

Finau is off-contract at the end of the year."

Very interesting that his management are the leakers. This may just keep Sione here, so Daniel Anderson extending him is your first task.

 

[GCRV]

We peasants live in hope. Our best finisher but not our best winger, is that what you are trying to say?

No. Not trying to say anything. Am saying he's our best winger but not close to one of the best in the competition.

Jack Bostock and Zac Lomax are close to the best though. Just had ro mention that.

 

[jodragon40]

We need as a matter of priority at 7. Now I didn't mind the look of a young fella by the name of Pezet, currently stuck behind Hughes at the Storm. Now going through their system is usually a plus . I dont know if he would be available but if he was I would suggest we have a good look at him.

Secondly we need an experienced big bodied prop. There are a couple I believe that are available

 

[Eric]

We need as a matter of priority at 7. Now I didn't mind the look of a young fella by the name of Pezet, currently stuck behind Hughes at the Storm. Now going through their system is usually a plus . I dont know if he would be available but if he was I would suggest we have a good look at him.

Secondly we need an experienced big bodied prop. There are a couple I believe that are available

He re-signed with Melbourne only last year. Apparently he's going to take over from Hughes who will go and play for Perth.

 

[jodragon40]

He re-signed with Melbourne only last year. Apparently he's going to take over from Hughes who will go and play for Perth.

Bugger, I was unaware that Hughes wasn't going to be extended

 

[Mailroomsgi]

 

[redv13]

View attachment 681

Sign both please especially Mooney

 

[Morgan]

I think Daniel Anderson as started or is starting this week.. the club didnt specify but the journos said that.. wonder how fast he can work lol.. he needs to do a huge assessment I assume of the squad and the pathway talent... I thought maybe a contract to Liu or Heidke would be possible before end of year.. but Heidkes been injured a few weeks now.. and Liu im all good to see but hes not gonna move the needle much on getting a win.. hes prob better off helping the NSW Cup side.

Pretty confident he's a bit of a cranky old ****** who won't hesitate to put various people in their place, including Flanno. I think he's going to be really good for us.

 

[TheRev]

Honestly ive never watched Mooney, but there is surely a reason everyone rates him.. mind you Guler wasnt quite the product we had hoped for as another that had been left behind in the raiders system... though there is a football player in him at times..

Not sure what our chances are on Mooney though, lots of clubs want middles.. we can prob pay more.. rly keen to see how quickly Anderson is able to get a grasp on what it actually takes to get a deal done here.. took Flanno ages to realise the market has completely shifted from his sharks days.. is brutally tough now.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

trust me mate, Mooney is quality. He’s pumping out stats like Toby and Ryan did in cup but he’s a bigger body

I’ve been a fan of his since he was at parra, apparently he requested a release mid year and Canberra knocked it back too

Newcastle throwing some good coin at him (rightly so), we have to get our wallets out if we want to sign him

 

[Justadragon]

trust me mate, Mooney is quality. He’s pumping out stats like Toby and Ryan did in cup but he’s a bigger body

I’ve been a fan of his since he was at parra, apparently he requested a release mid year and Canberra knocked it back too

Newcastle throwing some good coin at him (rightly so), we have to get our wallets out if we want to sign him

I know its only day one but Anderson would be all over this i hope.

 

[Morgan]

I know its only day one but Anderson would be all over this i hope.

I'd imagine he spent his first day looking at who has gotta go rather than who he should recruit.