Young star Ethan Strange has re-signed with the Raiders on a new long-term deal which will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2028 season.

Strange made his NRL debut in 2023, featuring in just one game as a centre. However, he has kicked off the 2024 season in his preferred role of five-eighth after winning the role vacated by Jack Wighton. He and recruit Kaeo Weekes were the two leading candidates to start at five-eighth in pre-season but Strange has since made the jersey his own.

The 19-year-old has shown in his short NRL career that he has all the attributes to establish himself in the top grade, with his running game and defence two huge strengths in his early season performances.

The highlight of his season came in the club’s latest match against the Titans when he made a break up field to set up a Jamal Fogarty field goal that sealed a 21-20 victory in golden point.

Strange said the support he’d received so far from the club, his teammates and the coaching staff had made this decision an easy one.

“This place has become my home and I love it and all the boys here,” Strange said.

“I’m loving the way my footy is going and the coaches trust in me. They don’t put too much pressure on me, and it makes it a great place to play footy.”

He said he was looking forward to improving and growing into his career alongside some of his best mates and thanked the Raiders for the opportunity to remain in green.  

“Having other guys I’ve played with who are my really good mates like Chevy (Stewart) and Micky (Asomua) all staying a bit longer makes it easy for me,” Strange said. “It’s great to see the club has put the trust in me to sign long term and I’m excited to see what we can build.”

His signature ends any speculation he could be tempted by a move to the Sydney Roosters, where his father John coaches the NRLW side in which his sister Jasmin plays.

Raiders NRL Recruitment Manager Joel Carbone said the re-signing of Strange was an important one for the club.

“This is a very significant re-signing for us as a Club. We identified Ethan at a young age and knew if we were able to get him to Canberra and into our system, we’d give him the best possibility to start his NRL career,” Carbone said.

“Ethan has had a really impressive start to his NRL career and we’re confident he will continue to grow with this group of players and staff around him.”

“We’re really excited about the level Ethan can take his game to and we are thrilled to have him commit to the club long-term.”

In other Raiders news, winger James Schiller has reportedly signed a deal with the Newcastle Knights from next season. The Knights are understood to have offered the speedster more money and a chance at playing in the centres.

Raiders management will turn their attention to locking down emerging prop Trey Mooney who is out of contract at the end of the season and currently available on the open market. Veteran back Jordan Rapana is also out of contract.

With AAP