The race to partner Ethan Strange in the halves next season is heating up after the Raiders confirmed young gun Coby Black has joined the club effective immediately on a three-year deal.
Ethan Sanders has been the frontrunner to replace Jamal Fogarty in the halves next year, but he now faces stiff competition from Black who was granted a release by the Broncos.
Black, 19, scored 46 points in a Mal Meninga Cup game for Burleigh in 2024, while he also nailed what turned out to be a crucial one-pointer for Queensland in this year’s under-19s State of Origin clash.
“Coby is a great young player and we’re very excited to welcome him to Canberra this season and continue his development at the Raiders,” Raiders recruitment manager Chris Hutchison said.
“He has shown strong ability already, progressing through the ranks to debut in the Queensland Cup at the age of 18.”
Black was contracted at the Broncos for another season and had been earmarked as the club’s long-term replacement for Adam Reynolds, but the impending arrival of playmaker Jonah Pezet in 2027 changed those plans.
“We would have loved to have Coby here at the Broncos for 2026, but we acknowledge the opportunity that’s been presented to him,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“He’s a fantastic young man who’s been an absolute pleasure to coach and I truly hope our paths cross in the future.”
Originally published as ‘Great young player’: Halves battle emerges after Raiders sign young gun