Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
"Glimpse of our future": Ricky's young Raiders announce themselves in comeback win
Sam Kosack • June 1st, 2025 11:18 pm
The young stars of the Canberra Raiders have inspired a comeback 26-24 win over the Sydney Roosters, elevating them back into the top two at the half-way point of the competition.
For a side widely predicted to struggle in 2025, the Raiders have exceeded all expectations with the side’s youth being their biggest strength as opposed to their Achilles heel.
In the wake of no Jamal Fogarty, the young spine of the Raiders shone, with Owen Pattie, Ethan Strange, Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Sanders stepping up to steer Canberra home.
Pattie kicked a crucial 40/20 before backing up into a try assist to give the Raiders the lead for the first time in the game.
Ethan Sanders led the side around with composure beyond his years, while Kaeo Weekes’ blistering speed set Ethan Strange up for the try that sealed the win for the visitors.
Combined with the youth of their outside backs and a firing and mobile forward pack, the Raiders have stated themselves as genuine premiership contenders.
Coach Ricky Stuart said he always believed in his young spine going into the match.
“You look at that spine… the oldest player there is Kaeo and he’s 23,” Stuart said post-match.
“Ethan Sanders’ first game for us, his third game of NRL. He sort of answered what you can’t find in training… and that’s handling the pressure… because it is a very tough game, our NRL competition, and he handled the intensity (and the) collision really well.
“You probably had a glimpse of our future there tonight… I’ve always shown belief. I wouldn't put them in there if I didn’t believe (in them).
“(Pattie’s) done a wonderful job only playing 15 to 20 minutes a game so far.”
20-year-old Raiders' winger Savelio Tamale also topped the metre count for his team, with Ricky Stuart deeming that if he continues to play like this, he would be a strong contender for Rookie of the Year at the Dally Ms.
Having a major role in two tries that put Canberra in the lead, hooker Owen Pattie broke down his role within the team.
“Like every game, Stick (Ricky Stuart) tells me when I get on, bring energy off the bench and do what’s best for the team,” Pattie said, speaking to SEN League post-game.
“I don’t mind where I play as long as it’s in that team… starting or off the bench I just want to do my job.
“Whether it's Jamal (Fogarty) or (Ethan) Sanders, they’re very composed footballers… they’re very smart so putting pressure on the Roosters, making them defend puts fatigue in their legs, we’re not forcing anything, so it was good to compound their defence and score a few tries.”
For the home side, with only two wins separating seventh and last, the Roosters are left to rue a match that could’ve been vitally important in the context of their season.
Leading for 60 minutes of the match, the Rooster should have secured a massive two points that would have had them in ninth at the end of the round.
But a minute, or five minutes in this case, can change everything in rugby league.
On the stroke of half-time, huddled under their own goal posts, the Roosters were contemplating how they would respond in the second half after Simi Sasagi scored on the siren to put the Raiders in front.
Upon closer inspection, Owen Pattie was found to be offside from the kick that started the play, and the Roosters were given a penalty and a minute to respond. And respond emphatically they did.
Connor Watson appeared to spill the ball 20 metres out before it was ruled it was raked by a Canberra player. The ensuing chaos led to Hugo Savala sticking his head through and popping a beautiful offload to James Tedesco who scored.
The second half would see the script flipped, with a dominant five-minute stretch for the Raiders’ halfway through the second half ultimately enough to get them over the top of their rivals.
Instead of sitting tied for points with teams in the top eight, the Roosters now find themselves in 12th halfway through the season and needing a big push through the Origin period to get themselves playing September footy.
James Tedesco was his ever-reliable self, while Mark Nawaqanitawase had a rocks-and-diamonds kind of evening but showed the raw physical and athletic attributes that make Trent Robinson persist with the winger each week.
Flying above Tamale, Nawaqanitawase clutched the ball in the air like an eagle catching its prey and planted it down for the opening try of the game.
Controversies will arise from the put down - Nawaqanitawase lost possession mid-air before video referee Chris Butler ultimately ruled he regathered before grounding - but regardless, it encapsulates the physical and athletic talents of the rugby convert.
However, his incredible aerial efforts were offset by some simple yardage errors that cost his side dearly.
He had some errors through the match, but it must be remembered he has played less than 15 games of NRL. On potential, he could be an Origin winger, but he will need to continue to work hard to live up to that possibility.
The Raiders next play the Rabbitohs at home where Josh Papalii will set the record for most matches played for Canberra, while the Roosters have a bye.
