Canberra Raiders are poised to lock in forward Morgan Smithies with a new long-term contract, aiming to stop him being poached by expansion side the Perth Bears ahead of their 2027 NRL entry.
The 25-year-old English international has become a key middle-forward for Canberra since arriving in 2024, making him one of the club’s core forwards. Canberra has reportedly offered Smithies an extension to keep him beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of 2026, and to prevent rival interest from the Bears — who are actively targeting off-contract players to build their inaugural roster.
Securing Smithies would be a big boost for the Raiders’ forward pack and a statement of intent to retain their top talent ahead of the 2026 season, effectively shutting down a potential move to Perth before it even gains traction in negotiations.
