Home ground: GIO Stadium Canberra

Coach: Ricky Stuart

TAB odds: Premiers: $61

Two big losses for the Green Machine, with experienced duo Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead both moving on. The rest of the roster remains largely in tact, with KAEO WEEKES likely to start the season at fullback. Despite the Raiders missing the finals, Weekes had a big finish to 2024. He signed an upgraded new deal with the Raiders recently and shone for the Prime Minister's XIII with two tries against Papua New Guinea. The 22-year-old speedster shared the position with Jordan Rapana in his maiden season with Canberra, showing his versatility by also playing plenty at five-eighth and halfback.

The Raiders narrowly missed the finals last season, and it's debatable whether the off-season acquisitions have genuinely enhanced the team's capabilities. Canberra has experienced player losses to Super League and has also been unsuccessful in acquiring several target players. The club has signed ETHAN SANDERS, whom coach Ricky Stuart intends to develop into a first-grade halfback, but that won't happen overnight. They have also signed English international second rower MATTY NICHOLSON to boost their pack. The team's rebuilding process seems to have some flaws, which might lead to a challenging season for the Green Machine, and see Ricky kicking plastic chairs around GIO Stadium.

Keep an eye on English import MATTY NICHOLSON as a back-row option for Ricky Stuart in 2025. The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young British forwards, having scored 17 tries in 51 appearances for Warrington since arriving from Wigan Warriors midway through the 2022 campaign. Nicholson will play alongside his fellow Yorkshireman and good pal MORGAN SMITHIES at Canberra, as Sticky Ricky does like his big English forwards. Now 24 years of age, Smithies has matured into the loose-forward that the Raiders have been crying out for in recent seasons. He represented England last year and has come to grips with the speed and intensity of the Australian game.

The Raiders will prioritise defensive improvements during the off-season, following a series of disappointing losses in 2024 that were sometimes quite embarrassing. Canberra often demonstrated superior resilience compared to many of their competitors; however, when facing significant setbacks, they exhibit a propensity to surrender prematurely, resulting in excessive points being loaded upon them. This is something that requires attention if they hope to return to the top eight. Hard to see them climbing higher then 10th, but there is some stability which may enhance their front foot style of football. Playing the WAH'S in Las Vegas during the first round should encourage strong early-season performance.

First five: Warriors (LV), Broncos (H), Sea Eagles (A), Cowboys (A), Sharks (H)

Last year's finish: 9th

Predicted 2025 finish: 14th

PREDICTED STARTING SIDE

1. Kaeo WEEKES

2. Xavier SAVAGE

3. Matt TIMOKO

4. Seb KRIS

5. Albert HOPOATE

6. Ethan STRANGE

7. Jamal FOGARTY

8. Josh PAPALII

9. Danny LEVI

10. Joseph TAPINE

11. Hudson YOUNG

12. Zac HOSKINGS

13. Morgan SMITHIES

14. Tom STARLING

15. Corey HORSBURGH

16. Matty NICHOLSON

17. Trey MOONEY

PRE SEASON: Saturday 8 Feb

Panthers v Raiders at Sharks Stadium 7:30pm

Thu 13 Feb

Raiders v Sharks at GIO Stadium 7:50pm