The Canberra Raiders have doubled down on a winning formula, returning to the bush for a demanding pre-Christmas army camp they credit with forging their successful 2025 NRL campaign.
The Formula for Success
If it worked once, do it again. That's the philosophy driving the Green Machine after a two-night camp last pre-season helped harden the squad ahead of a travel-heavy 2025 season. The result was the club's first minor premiership in 35 years, a feat that has cemented the camp's place in their preparation.
The Raiders also undertook a similar camp the last time they reached the NRL grand final, adding further weight to its perceived value. This time, just before Christmas, the players returned to the bush near Canberra for another dose of sleep deprivation, limited rations, and intense team-building exercises designed to build morale and resilience.
A 'Tough Night' for Young Gun Strange
For young playmaker Ethan Strange, last year's camp was the hardest couple of days of his life. As a returning participant this time, he was part of the group that only endured one night instead of two, but he confirmed the challenge remained significant.
"It was still a tough night. It was a lot of running and lifting and stuff," Strange told The Canberra Times. "But good fun as well, some funny memories from there."
He described the activities as team challenges and scenarios focused on building cohesion. "Army camps and anything like that always brings you closer together," he said, noting the Raiders squad is already a tight-knit group who socialise regularly away from football.
Bigger, Stronger, and Possibly Faster
Heading into his third full NRL season, the 21-year-old Strange is looking more formidable than ever. Now standing at 190cm and weighing around 94kg, he is approaching the physical stature of the man he replaced in the No.6 jersey, Jack Wighton.
This natural physical development, which Strange attributes to simply "developing into a man body," is a worrying prospect for opposition defences after he scored a team-high 14 tries last season. Despite the added size, he is conscious of maintaining his speed in an ever-quickening game.
To that end, he spent part of his off-season doing sprint technique work with Steel City Performance in Newcastle. This extra pace will complement an already speedy Raiders backline featuring Kaeo Weekes, Xavier Savage, and Sebastian Kris.
The Raiders will begin their official pre-season campaign with a trial match against the Melbourne Storm at Seiffert Oval on February 13, 2026.
