The Canberra Raiders announced that six players will be leaving. As the Canberra Raiders confirm the departure of **six players** ahead of the 2025 season, here is a comprehensive **Breaking News** report on the team’s significant roster shuffle: — ### The Raiders bid six players farewell. After the 2024 NRL season ended, the Canberra Raiders announced the departure of six players from their roster: #### 1. **Whitehead, Elliott**
* A long-serving England international, Whitehead is leaving after nine seasons with the Raiders. He’ll return to the Super League in 2025, signing a one-year contract with Catalans Dragons ([loverugbyleague.com][1]).
* * After nine seasons with the Raiders, Whitehead, a longtime England international, is departing. In 2025, he will rejoin the Super League after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Catalans Dragons.
#### 3. **Jordan Rapana**
* A club stalwart with more than 200 games, Rapana has opted to join Hull FC on a two-year Super League contract ([loverugbyleague.com][1]).
#### 4. **Zac Woolford**
* The hooker will also head to the Super League, signing a one-year deal with Huddersfield Giants ([loverugbyleague.com][1]).
#### 5. **James Schiller**
* The utility outside-back has mutually parted ways with the Raiders, and has since been linked with a move to the Newcastle Knights ([loverugbyleague.com][1]).
#### 6. **Adrian Trevilyan**
* The Raiders academy product and hooker departs as his next destination remains unconfirmed .
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### 🔁 Rebuilding Phase: New Additions
In response to these exits, Canberra are actively reshaping their roster:
* **Jamal Fogarty** has confirmed he will leave at the end of the **2025 season** to join the Manly Sea Eagles on a three‑year deal—even though the Raiders offered him an attractive two-year extension ([loverugbyleague.com][2]).
* Head Coach Ricky Stuart and recruitment staff are targeting fresh talent, and signings like **Matty Nicholson** (Warrington Wolves), **Myles Martin** (Knights), **Ethan Sanders** (Eels), and **Savelio Tamale** (Dragons) are already secured for 2025 ([loverugbyleague.com][1]).
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### 📌 Impact & Outlook
* The departures of experienced backs like Whitehead, Cotric, and Rapana mark a significant loss of skill, leadership, and depth in the Raiders’ spine.
* Cotric and Rapana’s exits will leave early-season holes in the backline, requiring swift development from younger players like Xavier Savage, Albert Hopoate, and Kaeo Weekes.
* Meanwhile, Whitehead and Woolford’s exits create voids in the forward pack and hooker options.
* Canberra’s recruitment strategy indicates a shift in focus: blending potential with positional reinforcement through targeted acquisitions and promotions from their development systems.
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### 🧠 Coach’s Perspective
While there’s no direct quote yet on the six-player exodus, strategic moves like securing young prospects signal the Raiders are committed to a gradual rebuilding process—balancing immediate roster reshaping with a longer-term youth-oriented approach.
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### 📊 Summary
| Departures | Destination |
| —————– | ———————– |
| Elliott Whitehead | Catalans Dragons (2025) |
| Nick Cotric | Catalans Dragons (2025) |
| Jordan Rapana | Hull FC (2025–26) |
| Zac Woolford | Huddersfield Giants |
| James Schiller | Linked to Newcastle |
| Adrian Trevilyan | Undisclosed |
The Canberra Raiders enter a transitional phase: several respected figures are leaving, but with a clear vision for youth-focused development and squad renewal under Coach Stuart’s leadership.
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Let me know if you’d like player interviews, contract details, or a breakdown of how new recruits will fill the gaps left by these departures!
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