The Canberra Raiders have re-signed outside back Jeremy Hawkins for a further two years, which will see him remain with the Raiders until the end of the 2017 season.
Hawkins made his NRL debut for the Green Machine in the later stages of 2014, finishing the season with three wins from his first three appearances in the top grade.
He backed up his solid start to his NRL career with a two try performance in the Raiders first trial match against the Storm last weekend and will feature in the Raiders second trial match against the Newcastle Knights in Queanbeyan on February 21.
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Hawkins said he’s excited about continuing his career at the Raiders after making his way through the juniors and hopes to make it a long term partnership.
“I’m really happy to re-sign with the club. I’ve been here since SG Ball and have come through the grades with players like Jack Ahearn, Mitch Cornish and Jeff Lynch and it’s good that those players are still here as well,” Hawkins said. “Since coming here from New Zealand, I’ve always wanted to stay with the Raiders and be a one club kind of guy.
“The Raiders gave me my opportunity and helped develop me so I feel that I owe it to them. They’re a good club too and we’ve had a bit of success over the years in the Under 20’s so hopefully we can work hard to replicate that in first grade and try and win a premiership.”
Hawkins credited his Coach Ricky Stuart for helping him make his way into the top grade and said he hoped to build on a solid trial performance last weekend.
“Ricky has been great for me also. He’s helped me out a lot in the last two years with my skills and I’m a lot more comfortable under the high ball now,” he said. “I had a good hit-out against the Storm last week and hopefully I get selected for the Knights trial next weekend. The goal for me this year is to the cement a spot in first grade, hopefully from Round one.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner said it was great news for the club to secure another one of their talented junior players and said he looked forward to seeing Hawkins continue his development under Coach Ricky Stuart.
“Jeremy joined the Raiders for the SG Ball competition and has progressed through our junior grades into the NRL squad,” Furner said. “He had to wait for his opportunity last season, but when he got the chance to make his NRL debut he put some very good performances together. The Coaches have indicated he’s had a very strong pre-season and we believe he’s got the chance now to work his way into an NRL career here at the Raiders.”
