Ethan Sanders: Stuart Backs ‘Courageous’ Call as Manly Test Looms

ethan sanders will make his first start in Canberra’s starting halfback role when the Raiders take on Manly at Brookvale on Saturday night, a move Ricky Stuart described as “courageous” and one he believes will underpin a long, successful career.

What Happens When Ethan Sanders Faces His Mentor?

The test arrives immediately: Sanders will go up against his predecessor Jamal Fogarty, who has signed as Manly’s new halfback to replace former captain Daly Cherry Evans. That pairing frames the opening-round storyline — a young halfback making his first sustained run in the No. 7 jersey against the man he learned under.

• Canberra will be without centres Matt Timoko and Matty Nicholson in the NRL side; both are set to play in the NSW Cup to regain minutes.
• Manly’s forward pack will get boosts with Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau’atu returning from injury, and a premiership winner, Kobe Hetherington, will make his club debut.
• Sanders’ performance will be watched for his combination with five-eighth Ethan Strange, a standout from last season.

How Stuart Frames Sanders’ Apprenticeship and Chance

Stuart has repeatedly emphasised the patience Sanders showed after moving from Parramatta in 2025 and spending a year learning off Fogarty. “I’ve got to give him credit. He came to the club knowing he was going to be behind Jamal and do his apprenticeship, ” Stuart said, noting that the decision to sit back has built longevity in the player’s game. “He’s quite courageous in regard to taking that apprenticeship last year to build longevity in his career. “

Sanders arrives at the start line aged 22 with four NRL games to his name. Stuart cautioned that the new halves combination will take time but expressed confidence: “He’s fitted in really well. ” The move away from Parramatta also removed the immediate roadblock of established playmakers remaining at his former club.

What It Means for Canberra’s Season

Canberra’s coach has made the previous season’s straight-sets finals exit a focal point in preparing for a deeper run. “We weren’t good enough last year, so we’ve got to improve to go a couple of games further, ” Stuart said, and he sees Sanders’ progression as part of that improvement.

Squad management around the halves and hooker positions adds context: Owen Pattie, who played 26 games mostly as a super-sub last year, faces competition for the hooker spot with Tom Starling and recruit Jayden Brailey preferred in the pecking order. Stuart was pragmatic about Pattie’s readiness: “If I had to go into a situation tomorrow that I had to start Owen, he’s probably not ready to play long minutes in the NRL. I want to get Owen’s minutes up to wherever the situation arises that he has to start. ”

Ultimately, how ethan sanders settles into the No. 7 jersey and develops his partnership with Ethan Strange will be central to whether Canberra can convert last season’s regular-season success into a deeper finals run.