By Scott Bailey

Daine Laurie has shown he can be a valuable signing for Canberra, leading them to a 32-6 pre-season win over Melbourne in his first hit-out for the club.

Playing in the halves after moving down from the Panthers, Laurie had varying roles in the first four tries for the Raiders in Queanbeyan, before leaving the field in the second half.

Wests Tigers’ player of the year in 2021, the 26-year-old struggled for game time when he returned to his former club Penrith in 2024.

But after going unsigned and ending up in Canberra on a three-year deal, Laurie was one of the best for last year’s minor premiers on Friday night.

He grubber-kicked for Michael Asomua’s opening try, before going across field and helping create the space for the winger to beat two defenders and score his second.

And after Melbourne bombed a chance to make it 8-6 after halftime, Laurie played the whistle and helped Canberra break down field to later make it 12-0.

The No.7 also put Sebastian Kris on the front foot in the lead up to the Raiders’ fourth, before the centre sent Sione Finau over in the corner.

Laurie is unlikely to start the year in the halves for Canberra, with Ethan Sanders expected to partner Ethan Strange and Coby Black also lurking as an option.

But the NRL’s new interchange rules will likely leave Laurie as a fixture on the Raiders’ six-man bench, given he can cover several positions in the backline.

Owen Pattie was also influential out of dummy-half, as he looks to ensure he remains a bench hooker after Jayden Brailey’s arrival.

In a game where both sides were light on NRL names, Hugo Peel showed some promise for Melbourne in the No.1 jersey.

Recruit Jack Hetherington also opened the game well as the Storm attempt to cover the loss of Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Liam Williams scored their only try, running on to a ball from Jordan Hamlin with seven minutes to go.

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