The Canberra Raiders had an up and down 2024 season, which ultimately ended up with them missing out on the finals.
Despite a charge late in the season, including a win over eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers, Ricky Stuart's side left themselves with too much to do, as they finished outside of the finals on points differential.
It is set to be an offseason of change in the capital, with some long serving veterans departing, and being replaced by young talent from home and abroad.
The Sporting News looks at the in's and out's for Canberra ahead of the 2025 season.
MORE: Which players are leaving the Panthers? | Which players are leaving the Eels?
Which players have left the Canberra Raiders in 2024?
The big departures in the offseason will be Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead, as the pair make the move to the Super League.
Rapana joined the club in 2014 after time in rugby union, and he became a key figure in the side that consistently made the finals in the late 2010s, culminating in a Grand Final appearance in 2019.
He played 216 times in the lime green and scored 106 tries for the Raiders, whilst also representing New Zealand 16 times during his stint at the club.
Whitehead was one of the British contingent signed by Ricky Stuart during this era as he turned the Raiders into a top four contender.
The second-rower played 205 times for the club and scored 44 tries; Rapana is set for Hull FC, whilst Whitehead is returning to Catalans Dragons.
Nick Cotric's second spell at the club is over, with the powerful back also off to Catalans next season, having played 22 times in his second stint between 2022-2024; his first stint at the club saw him play in the Grand Final and gain selection to the NSW and Australia representative sides.
Zac Woolford is also going to the UK and the Huddersfield Giants.
Full list of Canberra Raiders departures
List updated as of October 11th
| Player | New Club |
|---|---|
| Nick Cotric | Catalans Dragons |
| Jordan Rapana | Hull FC |
| James Schiller | Newcastle Knights |
| Elliott Whitehead | Catalans Dragons |
| Zac Woolford | Huddersfield Giants |
Who have the Canberra Raiders signed for 2025?
With many veterans departing, Canberra are looking to usher in a new age of youth to complement the presence of Ethan Strange and Xavier Savage.
21-year-old Matty Nicholson is joining from the Super League after impressing over there, whilst Ethan Sanders and Myles Martin are other young signings from the Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights respectively.
The Raiders have also signed Savelio Tamale from the Dragons.
