Ethan Strange is one of a number of younger stand-out players for the Raiders. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
In writing about a 21-year-old athlete, it’s important not only to maintain perspective but also to contemplate the impact of continual praise.
I have witnessed the downfall of plenty of young footballers who become consumed by their own greatness, fuelled by hyped media praise, only to come undone without the necessary life experience to handle the accolades and the fall.
In the case of 21-year-old Ethan Strange, I feel as though we are on solid territory, even though he has only played 56 NRL first-grade games for the Raiders.
His performance for NSW in the opening game of the Origin Series, and his follow-up in the Raiders’ victory over North Queensland, show he has gone to another level in the space of a week.
Such is his development that the Raiders are a different team when he is absent, as was the case in the loss to the Sharks in the final last year.
Two of the Raiders young stars: Ethan Sanders with Ethan Strange. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
The Raiders have had several great five-eighths. Laurie Daley’s at the top of the tree that also includes Terry Campese, Jason Smith and Todd Carney.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to draw comparisons between Daley and Strange at the same age.
Daley made his first-grade debut at just 17 in 1987; Strange made his first-grade debut at 18 in 2023.
At the age of 19. Daley made his debut for NSW in the first of 26 games for his state. Strange was 21 when he made his debut for the Blues, after being named in the Kangaroos squad as a 20-year-old.
Daley was named the Dally M five-eighth of the year in 1995, along with the Dally M. Strange, in just his third season, won the Dally M five-eighth of the year.
When Daley was coming through the ranks, I well remember coach Tim Sheens ensuring his young star, who was playing centre at the time before shifting to five-eighth, was protected from the media hype. Opportunities to interview Daley were scarce.
Ricky Stuart learned plenty from Sheens, including ensuring young players aren’t affected by overhyped media coverage.
Strange appears to be remarkably unmoved by the noise surrounding his performances at such a young age, despite media interest nearing fever pitch after the opening Origin game.
Ethan Strange attempting to break through the Tigers defence in January 2025. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
In many respects, Daley and Strange are similar. They both attack the line with ferocity, physically challenging the opposition, creating opportunities for players outside.
In defence, Daley was often fearless, to his detriment. Strange, as was displayed in his tackle on Cameron Munster during Origin, has a near-perfect tackling technique.
Imagine the circus if Strange was coming off contract at the end of this season. Thankfully for Raiders fans, that won’t be until the end of 2028.
The Raiders’ strategy of signing young players rather than established stars from other clubs appears to be paying dividends with the likes of Strange, Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Sanders showing their considerable talent under the direction of Ricky Stuart.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
