The Canberra Raiders have announced the immediate release of Harley Smith-Shields and Brad Morkos from the final year of their contracts with the club.

Smith-Shields will take up an opportunity with another NRL club, signing a two-year deal at the Gold Coast Titans.

A local junior, Smith-Shields made his NRL debut for the club against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 11, 2020. He played 15 NRL games with the Raiders between 2020 and 2023.

Smith-Shields was the recipient of the 2021 Canberra Raiders Rookie of the Year award alongside Matt Timoko, while he also received the Geoff Caldwell Welfare and Education Award at the 2022 Meninga Medal presentation night.

Smith-Shields fought his way back into the NRL side at the beginning of the 2023 season following his return from an ACL injury in the 2022 pre-season, playing six NRL games this year.

Morkos spent two seasons with the club, playing 40 matches for the Raiders NSW Cup team, receiving the NSW Cup Coaches’ Award for the 2023 season.