Canberra halfback battle stretches to 2028

Ethan Sanders

Tom Starling has announced he will leave Canberra before completing the final year of his contract, amid reports linking him to Super League club St Helens.

The 28-year-old hooker spent the second half of the season behind Owen Pattie.

Parramatta, meanwhile, have retained Samoan Rugby League World Cup co-captain Junior Paulo through 2027, after he was linked with the Perth Bears.

The Raiders have extended Ethan Sanders' deal to the end of 2028, securing the 22-year-old beyond November 1, when he could have negotiated with rival clubs.

Sanders won NRL Rookie of the Year after a breakout season, having entered it with only four first-grade appearances and following Jamal Fogarty's move to Manly.

Coach Ricky Stuart gave Brisbane recruit Coby Black the No. 7 jersey for Canberra's final game; Black scored 26 points, setting a premiership debut record unmatched in 118 years.

Black's contract also ends in 2028, extending the contest for the starting halfback role.

"Two years ago, the club put a lot of faith in me to bring me down to Canberra. I can't thank Ricky enough for all the belief he's given me, and I just want to repay that now," Sanders said.

"To win the Rookie of the Year was a huge surprise, but it's a testament to the players I have around me."

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