Matt Timoko has always had big quads, even as a kid. That might be the secret behind his extraordinary statistic in the Canberra Raiders' 28-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
Post-Contact Metres Beast
The Raiders centre was a post-contact-metre beast against the Titans, running for an astonishing 326 metres — the second most for a centre in the NRL, behind Bradman Best's 357 metres in 2024. But the truly remarkable part is that 127 of those metres came after contact, as he dragged Titans defenders along with him.
While that wasn't enough to crack the NRL top 10, NRL statistician David Middleton noted that only Joseph Manu and Brian To'o have achieved more among outside backs. It's also the second most for a Raider, trailing only Joe Tapine's 137 metres in 2024 (also against the Titans). Keaon Koloamatangi holds the all-time record with 153 metres in round 11, 2025.
The Secret: Big Quads
When asked about the source of his power, Timoko pointed downwards. "I'm lucky to be honest, I've always had kind of big quads, ever since I was a kid," he said with a laugh. "So yeah, it's been good."
Hunger from NSW Cup Stint
Timoko's spell in the NSW Cup at the start of the season, when he was kept out of the NRL by emerging star Simi Sasagi, may also have contributed to his hunger. He has played the past three NRL games but only managed one in the opening six rounds, with Sasagi preferred in the centres. A foot injury in the pre-season didn't help, opening the door for Sasagi to stake his claim.
"It definitely does make you a bit more hungrier, I guess," Timoko said. "NSW Cup, it's not a bad thing being there. You're there to spend time on your game and work on things that you need to do to get back into NRL. But obviously, at the end of the day, everyone wants to play NRL."
Upcoming Clash with Penrith
Sasagi will remain in the second row for the Green Machine's massive clash against Penrith at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. It will be a rematch of the "Miracle of Mudgee," when Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes scored a golden-point try to earn the Raiders a 20-16 victory over the Panthers.
While Timoko said they wouldn't take anything out of that game, this weekend's contest has the potential to be as defining. "Not really, man. Like, obviously that year we did [take a lot out of it] — that was kind of a, I guess, a year-defining game for us," he said. "And I think this one's going to be as well. Penrith have been the form [club of the] competition for not only this year, but many years now. They are the benchmark. And obviously, to beat the best, you want to be the best."
NRL Round 10
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
