Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has lashed out at the NRL, calling for urgent reform and compensation as the club continues to lose its top junior talent to rival teams. Speaking after yet another promising prospect signed elsewhere, Stuart expressed deep frustration with a system he believes punishes clubs that invest heavily in grassroots development.
“We spend years developing these kids—coaching them, supporting their families, giving them a pathway—and then, just as they’re ready to hit first grade, another club swoops in with more money and takes them,” Stuart said. “It’s heartbreaking, and it’s wrong.”
The Raiders have long been known for their strong junior development, particularly in regional New South Wales and the ACT. But with player agents and rival clubs circling, Stuart says smaller market teams are being gutted before they can reap the rewards.
“There needs to be compensation. The NRL has to step in and protect development clubs like ours, or we’ll stop investing altogether,” he warned.
Stuart’s comments add pressure on the NRL to consider mechanisms such as transfer fees, draft-style systems, or development incentives to help level the playing field—before more talent slips away.
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BREAKING NEWS: Daly Cherry-Evans Signs with Canberra raider’s $1.2 Million Deal – “I’m Ready to Make My Mark in Canberra”….
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BREAKING NEWS: Daly Cherry-Evans Signs with Canberra Raiders on $1.2 Million Deal – “I’m Ready to Make My Mark in Canberra”
In a stunning move that’s sent shockwaves through the NRL, veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Canberra Raiders. After more than a decade with the Manly Sea Eagles, the 35-year-old Queensland and Kangaroos star is making a bold switch to the nation’s capital.
“I’m ready to make my mark in Canberra,” Cherry-Evans said in a statement released by the club. “This isn’t about winding down—it’s about showing I’ve still got a lot to give. I’m excited by the direction the Raiders are heading and I want to be part of something special.”
The move comes amid Canberra’s push to add leadership and experience to a young, evolving spine. Coach Ricky Stuart praised the signing as “game-changing,” adding, “Daly brings world-class vision, leadership, and professionalism. He’ll be an incredible asset on and off the field.”
Cherry-Evans is expected to slot in alongside Jamal Fogarty or mentor upcoming talents in the halves. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as one of the NRL’s most respected figures begins a new chapter in green.
