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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s under-19s State of Origin clash.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoby is a great young player and we\u2019re very excited to welcome him to Canberra this season and continue his development at the Raiders,\u201d Raiders recruitment manager Chris Hutchison said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has shown strong ability already, progressing through the ranks to debut in the Queensland Cup at the age of 18.\u201d <\/p>\n
Black was contracted at the Broncos for another season and had been earmarked as the club\u2019s long-term replacement for Adam Reynolds, but the impending arrival of playmaker Jonah Pezet in 2027 changed those plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would have loved to have Coby here at the Broncos for 2026, but we acknowledge the opportunity that\u2019s been presented to him,\u201d Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a fantastic young man who\u2019s been an absolute pleasure to coach and I truly hope our paths cross in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n