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Sport Nation
Voss: Why the '25 Raiders are like the '03 Panthers
Charles Goodsir • July 7th, 2025 12:22 pm
SEN’s Andrew Voss has declared the Canberra Raiders as bona fide Premiership contenders following their seventh consecutive victory.
The Raiders downed the St George Illawarra Dragons 28-24 in Round 18 and now sit one game clear at the top of the NRL ladder with a 14-3 record.
Voss believes there is a striking resemblance between the current Raiders side and a past Premiership winning team which he believes holds Canberra in good stead to claim their first title since 1994.
“They are so enjoyable to call as a commentator and then as a fan, they are so bloody good to watch,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“As I often do, I rewatch games that I call and something came in to my mind.
“I saw the Penrith Panthers of 2003 in the Raiders and Kaeo Weekes is Rhys Wesser.
“22 years ago, the Panthers had this mentality that if you score 24 points, we'll score more.
“That Panthers side had this confidence that they could score 30 points every game and I see that with Canberra.
“I think it’s the Panthers of ‘03 and I think Canberra can win the competition.”
At the start of the season, several experts including The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis, predicted the Raiders to finish with the wooden spoon.
It prompted coach Ricky Stuart to respond after his side’s opening round win in Las Vegas.
“It’s going to be a good competition if we come last, like a lot of you are expecting;” Stuart said in his post-match press conference in March after the Raiders thrashed the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium.
“Ricky is having his best year as a coach,” Voss continued.
“I know he’s already won a Premiership but a good coach is someone who makes individuals play better.
“They are all playing at their very best. I’ve never seen some of those players play as good as they are right now.
“Corey Horsburgh and Ricky Stuart admitted to having a falling out. They didn’t talk to each other.
“Now, he should be playing State of Origin for Queensland. Ask Billy Slater why he isn’t.”
The Raiders have the bye in Round 19 before hosting the Parramatta Eels on July 19 at GIO Stadium.
