The Canberra Raiders are reportedly out to shore up their forward stocks by offering contract extensions to English imports Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson.
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The Daily Telegraph reported the Raiders have tabled an extension offer for Smithies and have began talks with Nicholson over a new deal.
It is understood the Raiders are also exploring the prospect of retaining Ata Mariota.
All three players are off-contract at the end of 2026 and are free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.
The three forwards loom as potential poaching targets for the Perth Bears, who will join the NRL in 2027 and are on the lookout for inaugural recruits.
However, the Raiders want to get ahead of the game by beginning talks with Smithies and Nicholson over long-term extensions.
Smithies, 24, has played 42 games for the Raiders since joining the club in 2024, while 22-year-old Nicholson has scored five tries in nine games in his rookie season.
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The Raiders are also in talks with young fullback Chevy Stewart, but could be open to letting him leave after re-signing Kaeo Weekes to a long-term extension.
Stewart is considered a star of the future, but his path to consistent first grade has been blocked by Weekes, who is a contender for the Dally M Medal in 2025.
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The Raiders are open to letting Stewart leave at the end of the season to chase a full-time first grade spot, with the Dragons circling the young gun.
Stewart is just 20 and played three games for the Raiders last season, but is yet to get a game in first grade in 2025.
Meanwhile, the future of Trey Mooney is up in the air with the Raiders considering re-signing Josh Papalii, who has got cold feet over a switch to the Super League.
Papalii has now had discussions over staying for one more season, which could force Mooney to consider his future in Canberra.
Mooney has scored two tries in 24 games for the Raiders since his debut in 2022, but just three this season.
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