‘This place has become my home’: Ethan Strange signs huge extension to stay with the Raiders

The Raiders have extended a young gun’s contract after the teenager showed he has what it takes to be the club’s long-term five-eighth.

The Raiders have kept exciting youngster Ethan Strange at the club until the end of 2028. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The Raiders have locked in promising youngster Ethan Strange on a new deal that will keep him in Canberra until the end of the 2028 season, with the 19-year-old showing in the early rounds that he has the potential to be their long-term five-eighth.

There were huge question marks on who would replace veteran Jack Wighton after he joined the Rabbitohs in the off-season, but Strange has answered that in style with some classy performances in the opening six rounds.

Strange has come a long way since his debut when he was on the wrong end of a Melbourne Storm onslaught last year, with the teenager showing the form that saw him score a hat-trick for NSW in the under-19s State of Origin.

His line break in the final minute put the Raiders in position to beat the Titans in golden point, with Strange able to create something out of nothing down the left edge.

Ethan Strange has handled the move to the halves this season after there were fears Canberra would struggle without Jack Wighton. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

“This place has become my home and I love it and all the boys here,” Strange said.

“I’m loving the way my footy is going and the coaches trust in me. They don’t put too much pressure on me, and it makes it a great place to play footy.

“Having other guys I’ve played with who are my really good mates like Chevy (Stewart) and Micky (Asomua) all staying a bit longer makes it easy for me.

“It’s great to see the club has put the trust in me to sign long term and I’m excited to see what we can build.”

The Raiders are also reportedly in the hunt to sign Parramatta halfback Ethan Sanders given he’s stuck behind rep stars Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown, but for now they’re celebrating Strange’s decision to recommit.

Strange has scored one try this season but has been a constant threat on the left. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“This is a very significant re-signing for us as a club,” Raiders recruitment manager Joel Carbone said.

“We identified Ethan at a young age and knew if we were able to get him to Canberra and into our system, we’d give him the best possibility to start his NRL career.

“Ethan has had a really impressive start to his NRL career and we’re confident he will continue to grow with this group of players and staff around him.

“We’re really excited about the level Ethan can take his game to and we are thrilled to have him commit to the club long term.”

Originally published as ‘This place has become my home’: Ethan Strange signs huge extension to stay with the Raiders