The Canberra Raiders have strengthened their NRL roster for 2023 and beyond after securing the signatures of Ata Mariota, James Schiller, Zac Woolford and Matt Frawley.
Mariota, Schiller and Woolford have all come on board until the end of the 2024 season while Frawley signed a one-year deal which will keep him in the nation’s capital for 2023.
Both Woolford and Schiller made their NRL debuts with the Raiders earlier in the 2022 season while Mariota is on the cusp after several strong performances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup. Frawley has served as a handy back-up in the halves for Ricky Stuart’s side, making seven NRL appearances in 2022 for five wins.
Woolford, a crafty dummy half who switched mid-season from the Newtown Jets, starred in his first NRL start against Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 10 with two try assists, one linebreak and 20 tackles in just 37 minutes. While he impressed on debut, it was a post-match moment that stole the limelight when Zac shared an emotional moment with his father Simon, who played 234 games for the iconic club.
Schiller, an outside back with impressive finishing abilities, has made six NRL appearances in 2022 scoring two tries including the match-winner against Melbourne Storm in Round 18. In addition, he has featured in seven games in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup scoring five tries as well as one try assist, 26 tackle busts, two linebreaks and 126 metres per game.
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Mariota, a hard-running prop forward with late footwork, has made 13 appearances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup in 2022 for four tries, 38 tackle busts, 16 offloads, 23.5 tackles per game at 95% efficiency and an average of 114 running metres per game.
“The club is very pleased to be able to re-sign a number of players, who will continue to develop and be part of our squad moving forward,” Raiders CEO Don Furner said.
“Zac Woolford and James Schiller are two great examples of players coming here for an opportunity and being rewarded for their hard work and commitment.
“Ata Mariota is a young player who will continue his development with us and look to make his NRL debut for the club, while Matt Frawley is an experienced half who continues to be a valuable member of the playing squad.”
