LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Ricky Stuart faces another setback as he reportedly prepares to lose one of his key aides, with the club's recruitment guru transitioning to the Roosters. The Daily Telegraph is reporting that assistant coach Mick Crawley will depart the Raiders at the end of the current season after a three-year tenure.
Regarded as "one of the masterminds" behind Canberra's successful ascent up the league standings, Crawley has chosen to "explore his opportunities elsewhere." He has a formidable background, having collaborated with esteemed coaches such as Stuart and Wayne Bennett, and winning coach of the year while managing the Newcastle Knights' Under-20s.
This development is part of a broader reshuffle in assistant coaching across the NRL, with clubs like the Sharks, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Titans, and Cowboys actively searching for new talent. The Titans and Cowboys have notably decided against renewing multiple assistant contracts, while Michael Ennis has informed Manly officials that he will not be returning next year.
Ennis may find a position with the Sharks or Dragons, potentially eyeing a future head coaching role. The Sharks recently lost Josh Hannay, who has taken the head coach job at Gold Coast, while Dragons' assistant Ryan Carr is now leading the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
Crawley's intention to leave follows Canberra's earlier loss of recruitment chief Joel Carbone. Reports suggest that Canberra officials were "fuming" upon learning that Carbone signed with the Roosters for the 2026 season.
Carbone played a crucial role in signing several key players who have contributed to the Raiders' success, helping them secure the minor premiership this year. Both Carbone and Crawley were integral parts of Stuart's support staff, transforming the Raiders from underachievers to strong contenders.
The Roosters also experienced changes, having lost their recruitment expert when Clint Zammit made a mid-season transition to the Cowboys for family reasons. Daniel Anderson has also joined the Dragons after the Roosters acquired Carbone.