Ricky Stuart’s Raiders are on the cusp of their first minor premiership since ‘Sticky’ was wearing the number seven jumper … but they’ve got their eyes on the big prize. 

WHEN Ricky Stuart defected from rugby union to the 13-man code back in 1988, everything he touched turned to gold.    

In his second year at the Canberra Raiders, the then-22-year-old halfback piloted the expansion club to their first premiership. 

A year later, he’d added a second title to his resume as well as New South Wales and Australia jumpers to his wardrobe. 

By 1994, when Stuart’s side thumped Canterbury 36-12 in the 1994 decider, the Green Machine were the most formidable force in Australian rugby league. 

Thirty-one years later, though, those three triumphs Stuart led as a player remain the only premierships in the club’s possession. 

After winning another comp in his first year as a coach at the Roosters, followed by tumultuous stints with the Sharks and Eels, in 2014 Stuart found himself back where it all began. 

He took the Raiders to within a whisker of a drought-breaking NRL crown in 2019, if not for some controversial refereeing. 

The GIO Stadium faithful still haven’t forgotten the Roosters’ trainer interfering with a charge-down that threatened an early try, nor Ben Cummins’ six-again call that led to James Tedesco’s match-winning score. 

The Raiders have been there or thereabouts for a decade. But the Canberra of 2025 approach another golden opportunity to add more silverware to their coach’s CV. 

Stuart’s side sit in the box seat for the minor premiership and can secure it with a home victory over Wests Tigers tomorrow (Saturday).

The top four has remained largely unchanged since the end of round seven, kicking off a four-horse race for top spot between Canberra, Canterbury, Melbourne and New Zealand. Although reigning champions Penrith have since entered the race.

While the State of Origin period took its toll on the Bulldogs and Storm team sheets, and the Warriors’ regular trips across the Tasman always make it tough to maintain consistency, the Raiders kept on keeping on. 

After back-to-back defeats way back in March, their only subsequent losses came against Canterbury in round 10, throwing away a 20-0 half-time lead to succumb 32-20, before going down 18-12 to the Dragons in round 22. 

Aside from those blips, their season has been a study of consistency, resilience and pragmatism. 

Dogged, narrow wins have become the Green Machine’s signature. 

They’ve won eight games by a converted try or less — including against top-eight rivals the Sharks and Panthers at home and the Storm, Warriors and Roosters all away. 

That’s a serious record that will leave them with no fears of anyone in September.

The surge has taken almost everyone by surprise. 

Despite only missing last year’s top eight on points difference, the Raiders were widely expected to slide down the ladder in 2025. 

Bookmakers had them 11/4 to even qualify for the finals, and 10/1 to make the top four. Anyone brave enough to back them at 50/1 for the premiership will be keeping a close eye on their ticket. 

If there was going to be any deposit in their trophy cabinet, it was more likely to be a wooden spoon than a Provan-Summons Trophy. 

The question marks came from their reliance on youth following the departures of veterans Jordan Rapana to Hull FC and Elliott Whitehead to Catalans, plus solid squad players Nick Cotric (Catalans), Zac Woolford (Huddersfield) and Emre Guler (St George Illawarra). 

In came Matty Nicholson from Warrington — although as Lewis Dodd has shown, Super League recruits are no guarantee to flourish down under — plus rookies Ethan Sanders (Parramatta), Myles Martin (Newcastle) and Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra). 

But the development has mainly come from within. 

Kaeo Weekes, who’d struggled to nail down a position since making his NRL bow for Manly in 2022, is fulfilling his immense potential thanks to an extended run in the number one jumper. 

Ethan Strange — the 20-year-old livewire — and Jamal Fogarty — the 31-year-old cool head — are forging an effective, complementary partnership in the halves. 

Tom Starling has graduated from specialist sub to starting hooker, with youngster Owen Pattie providing dummy-half punch off the bench. 

Ex-Panther Zac Hosking has bounced back from the string of injuries that ruined his first season in the Australian capital, alongside Hudson Young in an A-grade back row. 

On the British front, Morgan Smithies has cemented his spot in the pack and Nicholson is poised to join him once he recovers from his long-term lower leg injury. 

In the middle, captain Joseph Tapine remains one of the NRL’s premier enforcers, Corey Horsburgh has rediscovered top form after his horror 2024 and 33-year-old Josh Papalii is hardly slowing down, powering past Jason Croker’s club appearances record. 

Out wide, Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris are an elite centre pairing, Xavier Savage continues to rack up the tries and Ricky’s son Jed Stuart has taken to first grade like a duck to water with Tamale sidelined by a knee complaint. 

The coach himself can take much of the credit. 

On paper, these names lack star power. One factor in Canberra’s mid-season rampage was not losing players to Origin duty, because their most important players — if they’re not Kiwi or English — don’t catch the eyes of rep selectors. 

But Stuart ensures this squad propped up by rookies and journeymen are greater than the sum of their parts. 

While the famously fiery boss might cop some flak for his emotion on the sidelines and his tetchy post-match press conferences, his unbridled passion has clearly cultivated an esprit de corps that is resulting in wins. 

Stuart was almost in tears when discussing his team’s season-opening win over the Warriors in Las Vegas, and there was no holding back when Papalii scored two tries in his record-breaking outing against the Bunnies. 

Not to mention the emotion of handing his son a maiden NRL jersey in round 16 then watching him snare a debut try against the Tigers. 

Imagine the reaction if Stuart leads the Raiders to the ultimate prize for the first time in 31 years. 

And given the wave of momentum they’re riding this season, they’re as good a chance as anyone. 

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 512 (September 2025)