Raiders young gun Ethan Strange has detailed the nasty illness he battled last week which forced him to miss Canberra’s semi-final loss to Cronulla.
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Strange was a late scratching the morning of the Sharks game and it was a loss the Raiders weren’t able to overcome, with their attack stagnating sans the star five-eighth.
Canberra had ample attacking opportunities in the first half but weren’t able to break the Sharks down, with Strange’s absence clearly felt.
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In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Strange admitted he is only just on the mend from the illness which caused him to lose 5kg.
“I started going downhill really fast,” Strange said.
“The doctor came over and did my resting heart rate and it was way too high.
“Then I was up all through the night vomiting … I was vomiting blood. The doctor said I’d burst blood vessels from all the coughing and spewing up.
“I’ve only just come good but if we were playing this weekend I’d be all right.”
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Ethan Strange of the Raiders scores a try during the NRL Qualifying Final match between Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Not only was Strange bedridden while his teammates were out fighting for a prelim spot at GIO Stadium, he must’ve felt helpless as the Sharks raced away in the second half.
“It was shattering. And I’m still shattered,” a candid Strange said.
”You feel like you’ve let the boys and the coach down.”