Canberra look to have finally found a long-term hooker in Owen Pattie, who has signed a bumper contract extension with the Raiders.
Pattie shone with two tries for the Raiders in their first NRL trial, a defeat of understrength Penrith, and has now been fast-tracked into first-grade plans.
Originally only a development player for 2025, Pattie has been upgraded to the Raiders’ top-30 squad and will remain at the club until at least the end of 2028.
The 21-year-old is now in the box seat for an NRL debut in 2025, and could be the Raiders’ answer to a long-term question as to their best option at hooker.
Tom Starling, Zac Woolford and Danny Levi have all started at No.9 since grand finalist Josh Hodgson exited the club at the end of the 2022 season.
But Woolford has since left for the Super League, Starling is without a deal beyond 2025, and Levi has reportedly been shopped to rival clubs.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner said the club had high hopes for Pattie, the 2024 Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.
“We see him as someone who can continue to improve and be part of our squad long-term,” Furner said.
“He’s got a fantastic work ethic and has already shown what a talented player he is in the lower grade competitions.”
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