Season lifeline for Raiders as stars set to return

Sebastian Tan | July 7, 2026

Noah Martin and Josh Papali’i will make their much-anticipated returns from injury as Canberra look to rescue their minor premiership defence.

Fresh from a bye, the Raiders know every game until the end of the season is a must-win, with the Green Machine currently languishing in 13th spot on the ladder.

Their hopes of making the finals have been boosted by the addition of Papali’i, the most-capped Raider and one of the important leaders for the young club, after he picked up a calf injury in April. 

“The word I use is his presence,” outside back Seb Kris said when describing Papali’i.

“Especially for me, just seeing him in the middle gives us on the edge a confidence boost. 

“His voice is really important for us … (he tells us) whether or not something goes well or badly, (he tells us) more about the bigger picture at the end of the set.” 

Martin began his season in glittering fashion as he produced standout defence performances along with barnstorming runs, putting the second-rower on the map as one of the NRL’s rising stars. 

But his season of promise derailed when he picked up a double syndesmosis injury in April that required surgery. 

After watching him at training on Tuesday, Kris said Martin had never looked so good. 

“It (the return of Martin and Papali’i) is definitely something that we’ve been speaking about, and something that gets us as a playing group excited,” Kris said. 

“It’s possible for us to get to the finals, and we’re just trying to see who’s coming up next week.”

Martin and Papali’i won’t have an easy task on their return as the Raiders face Canterbury, who are also pushing for a top-eight finish. 

The Bulldogs have already snared a victory against last year’s minor premiers this campaign, but forward Zac Hosking is intent on avenging Canberra’s loss on Saturday night. 

“We’ve got nothing to lose, and we can play footy. We don’t have to be real safe about the way we play,” Hosking said. 

“We’ve got a little good run ahead of us, a bye in the second last round as well, before we go up to Townsville for the final round.”

Hosking also said second-rower Matty Nicholson’s hope of a return from a shoulder injury is still weeks away, after the second-rower was gunning to come back in round 20.