Canberra Raiders could sign first ever NRLW player within weeks

Raiders director Katrina Fanning was excited by the in-principle agreement on key parts of the inaugural NRLW collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday.

It's hoped interim contracts will be issued to the clubs next week, opening the door for the Green Machine to start signing players after that - although the clubs still have to approve those contracts.

The Raiders have been chasing St George Illawarra second-rower Shaylee Bent, with coach Darrin Borthwick hoping the former NSW Sky Blue could be a marquee signing for their inaugural season.

Bent and partner David Fifita - who was off-contract with the Gold Coast Titans at the end of this season - toured Raiders HQ late last year, with the pair a chance of both coming to Canberra.

Mackenzie Wiki - the daughter of Raiders legend Ruben Wiki - has also toured the club's centre of excellence.

The Raiders were one of four expansion teams set to join the competition this year, but the drawn out CBA discussions have meant they've been unable to sign anyone.

That's set to change now the salary cap has been finalised.

It will be $900,000 this year - growing to $1.518 million in 2027 - for a squad of 24, with the minimum salary set at $30,000 (growing to $50,600).

The 2023 NRLW season will be nine rounds, followed by semi-finals and the grand final - with a seven-week pre-season.

Fanning, who was a key driver in the Raiders' entry into the NRLW, was excited by the prospect of finally collecting some signatures.

"It's given us a bit of light that the time to be able to start formally signing people is getting really close and the work that Darrin's been doing we can really test where people are at," she said.

"We're pretty happy with who we've spoken to and their thoughts about coming to Canberra so far, and also been doing quite a lot across the region and locally to identify talent - not just for the development pathway, but potentially a few players who will be in the Raiders inaugural side as well.

"But until you can sign the contracts you never quite know who you've got."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Fanning said they'd been speaking to not only talented players, but those that would fit the Raiders' DNA.

Once they get the green light to start signing players, she hoped they'd be able to progress reasonably quickly.

"I don't think we'll be in a position in a couple of weeks to say we've got our whole squad locked in, but hopefully [we'll have] a really strong base and people can see what we're building and give us a little bit of room up until May to keep looking a bit local and see how well some of those players can get ready," Fanning said.

"Hopefully the marquee players can be down in Canberra doing some work and showing the local players where they need to get to as well."

NRL PRE-SEASON TRIAL

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Belmore, 2.55pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Harley Smith-Shields, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider, 15. Matt Frawley, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. Corey Horsburgh, 18. Tom Starling, 19. James Schiller, 20. Pasami Saulo, 21. Albert Hopoate, 22. Ata Mariota, 23. Trey Mooney, 24. Michael Asomua, 25. Brad Morkos, 26. Elijah Anderson.

We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on The Canberra Times website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. See our moderation policy here.