It was all about the fans at the Canberra Raiders’ open training session on Friday 17 January.

Hundreds of people flocked to the Braddon training facility to watch their favourite players prepare for the 2025 season, which includes a trip to Las Vegas. They also met mascots Victor and Velda and tried their hand at some Wheelchair Rugby League.

Canberran Ashley Wilson has been a fan of the Raiders since 2001, while Jess Nangle has followed the team since 2021.

“I had a favourite player, Clinton Schifcofske, when he used to goal kick, he always used to put one eye down like a wink,” Ashley said.

“I liked his playing style, but I didn’t like that he played for Queensland (in the State of Origin).

“I’m a Blues supporter so I was a bit sad, but I still liked him.”

They try to attend every home game at GIO Stadium Canberra.

Ashley said he enjoyed the open training sessions because the players were nice about meeting their fans.

His favourite players in the current team are Sebastian Kris, Matty Nicholson and Matt Timoko, while Jess’ favourites are Albert Hopoate, Jamal Fogarty and Corey Horsburgh.

Ashley said he estimated the team would end up between 7^th and 9^th position in the 2025 season.

“We got close last year but the games just didn’t go our way,” he said.

“I hope Big Red (Horsburgh) has a good season and hopefully plays for Queensland.”

Another fan at the open training session was Simon Tayoun.

Anyone who has been to a Raiders game would be familiar with Simon, who can be heard at games beating a drum. He has been a fan of the club since 1987 – the same year he came to Australia from Lebanon – but has only had the drum with him since 2014.

Simon lives in Sydney but travels wherever the Raiders play, whether that’s in Australia, New Zealand or the US. He said he will even travel to Papua New Guinea when it joins the NRL in 2028.

Simon was introduced to the NRL when his brother-in-law took him to a Raiders vs Sydney Roosters match in Redfern in 1987.

“He wanted me to follow South Sydney but I said no, I like the green colour,” Simon said.

“I came here from Lebanon and I didn’t know the game. I love the game. I enjoy it, it’s good.”

Simon is such a big fan that for his 60^th birthday, coming up in April, he received a very special early birthday present from his family; an 18-carat gold ring with the Raiders Viking.

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