The Canberra Raiders have long-term security in a number of key players, but still need additions to challenge for a premiership.
That much became evident in 2023.
The team finished in the top eight and showed off plenty of fighting qualities under Ricky Stuart, who also recently extended his contract, but often lacked the killer punch in attack.
With some player turnover likely in the coming years, and big questions over their halves and juniors, 2025 could be something of a moving year for the Raiders.
In this series, Zero Tackle are running the rule over every club and who they should be targetting when a new crop of players become available tpo negotiate with on November 1 ahead of their contracts expiring at the end of 2024.
Current 2025 squad
Zane Dunford, Emre Guler, Corey Harawira-Naera, Albert Hopoate, Corey Horsburgh, Sebastian Kris, Danny Levi, Simi Sasagi, Xavier Savage, Tom Starling, Chevy Stewart, Ethan Strange, Joseph Tapine, Matthew Timoko, Kaeo Weekes, Hudson Young
Current 2025 best 17
1. Chevy Stewart
2. Albert Hopoate
3. Sebastian Kris
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Kaeo Weekes
7. Ethan Strange
8. Joseph Tapine
9. Tom Starling
10. Emre Guler
11. Hudson Young
12. Corey Harawira-Naera
13. Corey Horsburgh
14. Simi Sasagi
15. Danny Levi
16. Zane Dunford
17. No player signed.
Players off-contract at end of 2024
Nick Cotric, Jamal Fogarty, Peter Hola, Ata Mariota, Trey Mooney, Josh Papalii (mutual option) Jordan Rapana, Pasami Saulo, James Schiller, Harley Smith-Shields, Elliott Whitehead, Zac Woolford
EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024
Other clubs
ยป Brisbane Broncos
Here are five players from outside the club the Raiders should target for 2025.
5. Shawn Blore
The Raiders are likely to need additional players in the second-row for 2025, but not necessarily as a star player to start. Hudson Young is one of the best in the game, and Corey Harawira-Naera, at his best, walks into most starting sides.
But they certainly need reinforcements on the bench.
Zane Dunford will come into calculations by the time 2025 rolls around, but the retirement of Elliott Whitehead leaves a gaping hole in the rotation.
That is one that can be filled by a player like Shawn Blore. Others that come to mind include Jackson Ford or Brendan Piakura, but Blore may be the best option for Canberra.
He has struggled to stay fit over his career to date, but at his best, has put up some strong performances for the Tigers and could be looking for a way out of Concord where he is stuck behind a crop of forwards purchased by the club ahead of 2023.
