Raiders 2023 preview: Handful of injuries could send Canberra spiralling

Last time around, it took the Canberra Raiders a late-on charge to make the eight and play finals footy, leapfrogging the flagging Broncos in the process—a feat they won’t want to have to replicate again in their 2023 NRL campaign.

The capital’s club is one of a few teams heading into the new season with stability at the forefront of its plans. Eighth place and a semi-final exit isn’t the most ideal way to end a run, but there’s plenty of talent for coach Ricky Stuart to draw on as they look to go better in 2023 and fight their way into a higher seed.

Even better, the Raiders have had their list locked for some time now.

The club will be hoping it’s an up-swing on their yo-yo fortunes of late. A grand final in 2020 was a high point, but four 10th-place finishes in the last eight years speak volumes of how inconsistent the Raiders have been as true contenders of late.

They certainly have the star power to make the finals again, with big names like Jack Wighton, Joseph Tapine, Jordan Rapana, and Josh Papalii in the starting thirteen, but turning that into success is another question. If they can’t click early, like in 2022, then it could be another narrow scrape in or worse for the Green Machine.

Last year’s finish: 8th, 14 wins and 10 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 8th (Semi), 10th, 5th (Prelim), 4th (Runners-up), 10th, 10th, 2nd (Prelim), 10th, 15th, 13th

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Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Xavier Savage
2. Nick Cotric
3. Matt Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Corey Harawira-Naera
14. Tom Starling
15. Corey Horsburgh
16. Emre Guler
17. Pasami Saulo

Coach: Ricky Stuart

Biggest losses: Adam Elliott, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Biggest gains: Pasami Saulo

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How 2023 is looking for Canberra

Start fast, start fast, start fast. That will be the message Ricky Stuart has been carrying into training since before Christmas. In games, yes, but mainly in the season as a whole.

There are a whole lot of questions surrounding the Green Machine. Injuries cruelled them for much of their early 2022 run, especially when halfback Jamal Fogarty was sidelined until round 10. Their start was slow so, some may remember, that Stuart actually faced the axe early on, particularly after his infamous “weak-gutted dog” blow-up.

If the Raiders can keep their strongest seventeen on the park, they’ll go far. Look no further than the weapons they have at their disposal: Wighton, Tapine, Papalii.

Unfortunately, a few key exits may damage Canberra’s chances via depth.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Ryan Sutton (Bulldogs), Josh Hodgson (Eels), and Adam Elliott (Knights) all walked out the door over the offseason, leaving the Raiders short-staffed. With an extended NRL season and more chances of injuries, it would be a small miracle if Sticky can keep his men on the park week in, week out. If the injuries begin to mount and Canberra has to reach into its reserve-grade stocks to field a team, you can run a red line through Canberra’s season.

Predicted 2023 finish: 11th

First five: Cowboys (A), Dolphins (A), Sharks (H), Knights (A), Panthers (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $19, Make Top 4: $4.60, Make Final 8: $1.95, Miss The Top 8: $1.82

Pass mark: Playing finals again and avoiding the yo-yo trough. Download Our Free NRL App

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