Early Struggles and Resilience
Coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed that the Canberra Raiders are not panicking despite their challenging start to the 2026 season. The team, which previously won the NRL minor premiership, is currently facing their worst start (1-3) since the Sydney Roosters went 0-4 in 2016. This marks a significant drop from their previous performance, where they averaged 26.7 points per game, but now only manage 16.8 points per match.
The Raiders’ poor form has placed them at 15th on the NRL ladder, with their sole victory coming from a golden-point field goal by Ethan Sanders in a 29-28 win over Manly in round one. However, this success has been overshadowed by recent losses, including a 34-22 defeat to Cronulla, where the team made 13 errors, incurred numerous penalties, and faced a crucial early sin bin for Corey Horsburgh.
Despite these challenges, Stuart remains confident in his team’s resilience. He emphasized that the players are not showing signs of panic internally, even though the situation might seem dire from an external perspective. “I’ve been in worse positions than this. We’ll get through it because they’re a resilient bunch. There’s probably more panic outside than there is inside,” he said.
Stuart added that the team is aware of their current struggles but is focused on turning things around. “The guys obviously don’t like this situation of losing three in a row, but … they just put their heads down and keep working hard to try and turn it around. That’s the only thing you can do.”
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Matchup
As the Raiders prepare for their next challenge, they will face the Newcastle Knights in front of a sold-out McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. This matchup is seen as a critical opportunity for Canberra to regain momentum.
Josh Papali’i, the team’s inspirational captain, is set to return from suspension. His presence is expected to provide much-needed leadership and experience, especially during this difficult phase of the season. “He’s an important part of the team. That little bit of experience is always beneficial, especially through a difficult period like we’re in at the moment,” Stuart noted.
Newcastle, who currently have a record of 3-1, will still be without their high-profile players Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown. However, they are looking to build on their early-season success, having defeated Canterbury 24-16 in their last match. Prop Trey Mooney will return from suspension, while hooker Harrison Graham has been promoted to the bench.
Knights centre Dane Gagai expressed the team’s determination to maintain their momentum. “We can never be satisfied with how we’re going because, as a great man once said to me, if you pat yourself on the back too much you fall asleep. We’re going to have to be good this weekend because we’re coming up against a pretty formidable forward pack.”
