Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders and Owen Pattie. Four youngsters who make up the spine of the Canberra Raiders.
All under the age of 24, this is just the start of their individual futures, let alone the future for the Canberra Raiders.
With Kaeo being the oldest out of the four at just 24 years old, he’s had a great season so far in 2026, but it was a breakout season in 2025 which caught the eye of NRL fans across the league.
Weekes Try
Some stellar moments already, the ‘Miracle in Mudgee’ against Penrith to his chip and chase try at Magic Round, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Scoring 11 tries and assisting seven in 2025 and looking to break that with 10 tries and four assists so far in 2026. He’s involved in everything on the field, but when he has the Steeden in hand, there is no stopping him.
Now stepping in as the honorary leader of the spine, the fullback owes all the credit to his experienced forward pack laying the platform for the backs.
"We are running off the back of our middles at the minute, and we are enjoying having alot of our boys back at the right time," Weekes said
Even though Kaeo is an impressive player, the boys that he is backed up by in the middle have been applying their trade for years in the green jersey.
At just 21 years of age, five-eighth Ethan Strange is a fan favourite in Canberra households.
Strange soars v the Sea Eagles
Hailing from the Central Coast, he has many achievements to his name already, including being named the 2025 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year, representing Australia in the Ashes and making his Origin debut for the Blues. And that’s just the start.
By his side in the halves is Ethan Sanders. Just a touch older at 22, this is Sanders' first full season in the NRL.
The winning moment: Enter Ethan Sanders
With the departure of Jamal Fogarty at the end of the 2025 season, he has had external pressures put on him not only by the boots he has to fill but also playing halfback – arguably the hardest position on the field.
"We are all learning and eager to learn; we love coming in here and having fun," Sanders said.
He has answered the call so far, steering his side around the park week in week out. Currently second in the league for kick metres and top 10 in try assists, Sanders has shown his class in just his first few games in the NRL.
To round out the spine in the number nine is Owen Pattie.
Hailing from Central Queensland, the 22-year-old debuted in the NRL off the bench in Vegas last year against the Warriors.
Pattie gets a double
Taking the game on in limited minutes, Pattie went on to score two tries, set up three and even nail two 40/20’s to solidify the Raiders' 2025 season.
Looking into 2026, he is now the starting hooker for the Raiders following some weeks in reserve grade at the start of the season.
His fellow spine players are behind the young hooker and his playing ability, particularly his craft around the ruck and his kicking game.
"We all know what Owen brings, and he’s playing a lot of minutes at the moment," said Kaeo Weekes
"He puts a lot of work into his kicking, and it’s good to see pulling off for him," Sanders said.
The dummy-half stocks at the club have never been so strong, with over 300 NRL games of experience between teammates Tom Starling and Jayden Brailey, all three hookers have brought their own styles to the Green Machine in 2026.
The Canberra Raiders still have a hurdle in-front of them in order to climb the ladder and qualify for the Finals.
After winning three in a row, they have a tough month of football in-front of them that the young spine and company will be ready for.
