Raiders’ new signing in battle to earn hooker spot
Jacob Shteyman |
The Canberra Raiders can claim to have the most stacked dummy-half roster in the NRL.
But it wasn’t always that way.
When he signed from the Newcastle Knights in March, hooker Jayden Brailey would have been forgiven for thinking he’d have a clear run at the No.9 jersey at the Green Machine.
Tom Starling had failed to nail down a starting spot and the out-of-favour Danny Levi was being shopped around to other clubs. Both were uncontracted beyond the end of the 2025 season.
Young Owen Pattie was then earmarked as the long-term solution for the role, but barely 21 years old and with a handful of first-grade appearances off the bench he was unproven.
Brailey, with 133 NRL appearances under his belt and having just signed a two-year-deal with the Raiders from 2026, appeared to be coach Ricky Stuart’s pick to fill the dummy-half hole.
Fast-forward to November and the Raiders have come off a minor-premiership winning season; Starling collected a Dally M halfback-of-the-year nomination and a two-year contract extension; and Pattie earned comparisons to Cameron Smith for a breakout rookie campaign.
Suddenly, Brailey finds himself in a fight with two of the NRL’s hottest No.9s.
“It’s obviously a lot of competition there in that position. So I think it’s really exciting, it’s going to bring the best out of me,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Rather than competing against each other, Brailey expects the trio to bring the best out of each other.
“Those two are very explosive out of dummy half, and I’m working on that side of things,” he said.
“But I feel like my strength is obviously I’m crafty around the ruck, really strong defensively, and I work really hard. I guess I’ll stick to my strengths, but also I’m looking forward to enhancing my weaknesses as well.
“It’s a performance-based industry. If you’re not playing well then you’re not going to get the jumper.
“I’m not coming down here expecting to take over anyone. Those two boys did a great job here last year, and I’m coming down here looking to earn my stripes.
“I’ve got a lot of experience behind me, and I’m proud with what I’ve done in the game so far. But I’m not content by any means. I’m looking forward to tapping into some new heights for myself, bringing the best footy out of me, and I feel like this is the best place for it.”
Former Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead, who recently returned to Canberra to take up an assistant coaching role with the Jersey Flegg side after a short stint in the English Super League, said Brailey would provide important depth for the squad.
“I think Tommy and Owen were great last year,” he said.
“Hopefully none of them get injured again this year. And if they do, then you’ve got a great hooker in, just in case.
“He was great at Cronulla with his brother (Blake), and then he moved to Newcastle and really established himself there. He’s going to be a great player for us.”
AAP
