'I just want to be here forever': Raiders young gun wants to be like his Papa

Mariota's made Canberra his home since arriving in 2019, which was why he's re-signed until the end of 2026.

The Canberra Times revealed Mariota had extended his stay at the start of November, with the Raiders announcing both he and winger Michael Asomua's new contracts on Wednesday.

Asomua's on a development deal for next year, but will then move into the top 30 for 2025-26.

Mariota showed he was an NRL prop of the future with his barnstorming performance in the elimination final loss to Newcastle.

The 21-year-old ran for 193 metres, made three tackle busts and 33 tackles in his 56 minutes of work.

That performance filled him with the confidence that he has what it takes to establish himself as an NRL player in 2024.

Whether that's on the Raiders' bench or in the starting 13 he didn't mind - just wherever he fitted in.

As a Samoan prop who is not afraid to have big hair, Mariota's drawn comparisons with Raiders great Papali'i.

Rather than shy away from it, Mariota saw it as a compliment and he's determined to emulate Papali'i's career as much as he can.

That included the 21-year-old being a one-club player.

Mariota's looked to learn as much as he can both off Papali'i and Joe Tapine - the all-star engine room of the Green Machine's forward pack.

He was wary of being "passive" next season, having been named Raiders rookie of the year, and was determined to take the next step.

"It's a special place in my heart - the first rugby league club I've ever played for - so I just want to be here forever," Mariota said.

"I look up to 'Paps' - he's never changed his club and I want to be like that too, be a one-club man.

"I see it as a compliment - knowing that people see me as 'Papa'. I look up to him a lot.

"He's one of the forwards that I really want to try and copy, you know what I mean, but I also want to do my own thing."

While Mariota has Papali'i, Asomua has Jordan Rapana.

The 20-year-old winger looked up to the former New Zealand international.

He's seen Rapana's work ethic - both in games and at training - and has taken on the veteran Raiders flyer as a role model since he moved to Canberra from Griffith.

Asomua said the batch of young guns coming through the Green Machine ranks wanted to follow in the footsteps of Jarrod Croker (retired) and Jack Wighton (South Sydney).

Croker, Wighton and Papali'i have all been mainstays of the Raiders team since 2012.

Asomua hoped a fresh batch of youngsters could form a similar backbone in the future.

He took confidence from good mate Ethan Strange making his NRL debut this year - playing in the centres against Melbourne.

Strange could find himself starting at five-eighth in 2024, with the young half currently in a battle with Raiders recruit Kaeo Weekes for the No.6 jersey.

Asomua had a lighthearted moment in his first press conference when his phone rang, only for it to be Mariota - who was ringing to make sure Asomua wasn't late.

"A few of my mates are still here, like Chevy [Stewart], Strangey and 'Prince' [Esera] - we all want to be like 'Raps' and Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker," he said.

"They all stayed at the same club and grew up, had kids together and just knew each other better.

"That's the main goal for me - just to stay at the one club."