Let’s hope there is cause for much celebration in season 2025. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
It’s hard to read too much into pre-season games with key players either rested or given limited time on the field.
You only have to look at the fate of the two previous NRL pre-season champions. The Broncos won the 2024 pre-season challenge only to finish 12th in the premiership while the 2023 pre-season champions, Manly, also finished 12th in the regular season.
The Raiders accounted for a Panthers outfit minus their premiership players, 22-16, in their opening pre-season game before going down to the Sharks 40-10.
In the Panthers game, hooker Owen Pattie came off the bench to play a starring role, while Ethan Sanders was also impressive.
Pattie, in particular, instantly lifted the pace of the Raiders attack when he came on. I, like many Raiders fans, would be hoping he gets plenty of game time this season.
In the second game, Kaeo Weekes had an inspired 20-minute cameo as the Raiders led the Sharks 10-nil before he and a number of big names were rested.
In the end, it was the Sharks’ top-grade players running over the top of the Raiders’ younger players, therefore making it hard to read too much into the final score.
Fogarty will be critical to the Raiders performance in season 25. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
But there was plenty to like about that first 20 minutes against the Sharks with Jamal Fogarty combining well with Ethan Strange, while Josh Papali’i, Matt Timoko, and Seb Kriss impressed during their limited time on the field, and Trey Mooney looked good playing longer minutes.
Joe Tapine, Zac Hosking and Corey Horsburgh didn’t play in the second game, again highlighting the fact that it was very much a trial.
Joe Tapine leads the Raiders team onto GIO Stadium in season 24 Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Raiders will be looking to get more out of Morgan Smithies this season. He is a solid forward in the English mould, but I believe he needs to strengthen his ball-playing skills.
Isaah Yeo is the prototype of the modern lock, and he can adapt his game to the moment. He played a hard running forward role in the State of Origin series compared to his usual ball-playing style with the Panthers.
Smithies is still young and has time on his side to develop those skills.
Xavier Savage appears to have locked away one wing position while the other remains a contest following the departure of Jordan Rapana.
Xavier Savage adds speed and agility to the Raiders line-up. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
There is plenty to like about the Raiders individually in the trials, but as was the case last season, injuries will play a crucial role.
The three-month absence last season of Fogarty, the top field kicker in the game, hurt the Raiders.
This season, the Raiders, with the signing of Sanders, have an insurance policy if Fogarty goes down again.
There is also the added intrigue of Fogarty’s contract situation, with the Raiders having until Round 6 to trigger a one-year contract extension for 2026.
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