Young gun Canberra Raiders centre Matt Timoko has agreed to a new two-year deal with the club, re-signing until the end of 2024.
The announcement further strengthens the Green Machine’s outside back stocks after they re-signed Semi Valemei, Seb Kris and Xavier Savage last week.
“It’s great to be able to stay in Canberra, I love it here and I believe it’s the best place for my career,” he said.
Timoko played two matches for the Raiders at NRL level in 2020 after making his debut in round 16 against the Canterbury Bulldogs where he was anointed Canberra Raider no. 369.
He has played two matches so far this season and been 18th man on four occasions and has impressed so far in his limited opportunities at NRL level.
Timoko ran and tackled hard against the Brisbane Broncos in round 14, racking up 120 running metres, five tackle breaks, a line break and a try assist to go with 32 tackles – the most for the match.
Having missed Canberra’s most recent match against the Titans to make way for returning skipper Jarrod Croker, the strapping, power running centre will be keen to work his way back into the first-grade side.
“For me at the moment I’m happy to do whatever I need to do to help the team and I’ll be working hard for the rest of this year and the next three to try and cement a place in the NRL side,” he said.
The 21-year-old Auckland-born Raider played his junior football with the Ellerslie Eagles and was initially scouted by the Raiders playing schoolboy rugby union for Auckland Grammar.
He moved to the capital in 2018 after signing a development deal with the Green Machine initially playing SG Ball and fitting in “three or four games” with the Belconnen Sharks in the CRRL.
In 2019 he was a standout for the Raiders in the Jersey Flegg Cup, playing a pivotal role in their grand final berth scoring 13 tries in 21 matches.
Now enjoying his fourth year in the Raiders system Timoko said Canberra is “home now” for himself and his mother.
“I also wanted to stay and repay the club for everything they’ve done for me and my mum and by helping us make the transition to living in Canberra,” he said.
“It’s our home now and we don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner said he was thrilled Timoko has extended his contract with the club.
“Matt is a great young player who has shown already that he can perform at the top level,” he said. “He’s a player with plenty of potential and has a really good attitude and work ethic.”
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