Has this kid signed with the Raiders?, or is it just talk as I have read many different reports on 1EYED and would love to have this put to rest.
Sorry If I have missed something but just hear lots of speculation and can find nothing on any signings tracker but that might be due to not top 30 or a curent development contacted player
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It was reported as a done deal by Proszenko in the Sydney Morning Herald back in July and hasn't been refuted:
NRL 2023: The move the Wests Tigers need to make to secure the Fain...
Snippet below:
In other signing news, teenaged Parramatta playmaker Ethan Sanders has signed a two-year deal with Canberra from 2025.
The Eels were among half a dozen clubs keen to secure Sanders, who was the player of the match in the club’s SG Ball grand final and also starred in the Blues’ under-19s win. However, Sanders is currently stuck behind Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown, who have made long-term commitments to the blue and golds.
I have seen multiple reports saying Ethan Sanders has been signed by Canberra on 18th July. Im not sure thats even possible.
Firstly Ethan Sanders is signed to the eels untill 2025 - that would indicate he cannot be spoken to by another club until November 2023.
Secondly - August 3 it was reported that Arthur wanted Smith-Shields from Canberra as a centre for a push towards finals this year. Ricky Stuart agreed on an immediate transfer as long as Quote: The Raiders are in the box seat to sign Eels rookie half Sanders for 2025 and simply wanted Parramatta to give them permission to negotiate with him now.
Mark O'Neill and Sarantinos intervened as Smith-Shields had packed his car for the trip to Parramatta and stopped the deal from progessing.
I do wonder if the real reason it was stopped is that they see Sanders a long time Eel and feel they can sign him prior to the Nivemeber deadline, that Canberra are waiting upon.
Bluey, doesn't the Nov 1st rule apply to NRL players (Sanders doesn't have an NRL top 30 contract with us)?
Also, this rule didn't stop Bennett pursuing Munster before Nov 1st, in early 2022, despite Munster contracted to the Storm for 2022-2023 at that time. Bennett even said they wouldn't mind him at the Phins from 2023.
Yeah, the Storm saw red and lodged a complaint with the NRL, saying Bennett was trying to get Munster out of his 2023 contract.
The Nov 1st rule appears more to do with formality: the earliest NRL players can formally sign an NRL contract with another club whilst still contracted to their current Club (that is, they can sign for another club for 2025 on Nov 1, 2023); with NRL contracts' duration being Nov 1st - Oct 31st.
It is a bit perplexing, a head scratcher; like many rules.
If any contract experts here (not me) can clarify all that it would be great.
yeah im confused about it to be honest. i thought it a weird comment from stuart that they wanted early permission to sign him.
Bluey, I'm assuming Sanders has a contract with us for 2024 next year (but not a top 30 contract), and the Raiders (whom have a 2025-26 contract with him) want an early release.
I suppose the question is what do we do with Sanders in 2024: continue his development at 7 and the status quo, experiment with him, or release him?
Not sure if this reported contract Sanders has signed can be reneged on. Or would he even want to? A five year wait for Moses is a long time.
Then there's Joshua Lynn the other promising junior, from QLD, we have that is on people's lips.
The way the Raiders' halves situation is panning out with plenty of opportunities (Wighton, Frawley, Schneider gone or going, Fogarty looking likely gone for 2025), Ethan Sanders could be their NRL half soon along with another promising centre or six in Ethan Strange. A good ball runner, and probably complimenting Sanders' organizational skills and kicking game. The Two Ethans: both 2023 U19 SOO stars. So, they have already played together. Could be a masterstroke or a complete disaster. Who knows? They'd need some experience to counter the inexperienced-youth factor.
PS: It doesn't seem the Raiders have broken any rules. And Ricky being a former rep half might have also been a cherry on top for Sanders. Dunno.
ok thats the point of difference that didnt make sense to me. Requesting permission to go the Raiders a year early against permission to sign him up early. Makes sense now.
Being 19, there is one thing that very rarely works for a halfback. Playing First Grade too early. Who knows he may be the exception.
I don't think there is any point in holding onto him. It's just a matter of what we get out of it from here.
Id like HSS as previously attempted but there are a few others. Cotric seems to have returned to form, Ofcourse our Jr Trey Mooney.