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How to tune into Sport NationRicky Stuart provides update on Coby Black's potential Raiders move
Sam Kosack • November 26th, 2025 4:15 pm
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart wants to see Coby Black join the Raiders early in 2026, but is still unsure if the young half will be granted a release.
Black signed a two-year deal with the Raiders starting in 2027, but is reportedly pushing for an early release from the Broncos so he can compete with Ethan Sanders for the vacant halfback spot next year.
The young Queensland half is touted as one of the brightest young talents in the game and had been earmarked as Adam Reynolds’ successor before the club won the race for Storm half Jonah Pezet.
Stuart would like to see Black in lime green for 2026, but was confident he would grow in either the Canberra or Brisbane system.
“There’s a lot of talk about it and there has been some movement,” Stuart told *SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I haven’t got involved in it because it’s got nothing to do with me.
“Coby’s very keen to join the club in 2026 but it’s not a decision that comes down to me.
“I’m going to be fortunate either way. If he does join us, it’s going to be great for us and we get our opportunity to start coaching him a year early, but if not, I’m very happy for him to be under the guidance of Adam Reynolds in Broncos’ colours.
“He gets another 12 months under the guidance of Adam and Ben Hunt, who's also a very experienced half.
“That's the type of opportunity and experience that young halves can only gain from… but there has been talk about it, but honestly, I just don't know where it's at.”
The potential competition between Black and Sanders would loom as one of the big storylines of the pre-season, with Jamal Fogarty having moved on to the Sea Eagles.
Sanders would be the favourite as it stands having a year under his belt already in the Raiders’ system and representing the club alongside Ethan Strange in the halves.
Stuart is tipping Ethan Strange to make another leap in 2026 following his involvement with the Ashes tour.
The young half enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, and Stuart has no doubt that having spent time with Nathan Cleary, Mitch Moses, Tom Dearden, and Cameron Munster will only benefit his development.
“It's common knowledge that we've struggled to buy marquee players here because they prefer the clubs they're playing at, or they prefer the bigger, brighter lights, but I've always said that I need representative footballers here,” Stuart said.
“Now, we're getting representative footballers, and not just getting representative footballers, but footballers that are making a mark in their representative teams. That is a massive, massive gain for any football team.
“The boys that have been away representing,they're not due back for another three weeks, but they're gonna come back with… experience.
“You're hanging around the best players in the world. You're playing against some of the best players in the world.
“They come back with more confidence, and there's a bit of a sting in their tail.
“I caught up with (Strange) at Wembley for the first Test, and I could just see his shoulders back, and he's very proud to be a Kangaroo.
“He didn't play a game but I know he's going to come back knowing a lot more, hanging around the likes of Cam Munster, Nathan Cleary, and Reece Walsh, those players who are right there in the middle of their careers in regards to their representative honours.
“Ethan's a guy who's just starting, and I'm very confident that he's got representative football in him next year.
“He's about to start and establish his own representative career… he's gonna come back with so much more confidence, and he'll mature.”
The Raiders’ young halves will get their first chance to carry on their 2025 form against former teammate Jamal Fogarty in Round 1 at 4 Pines Park.
