LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Zac Hosking remains deeply affected by his exclusion from the 2023 NRL grand final, but he now has the opportunity to rectify that with Canberra this season.
Despite a standout season, Hosking was left off the Panthers' bench in favor of Luke Garner during the preliminary final and grand final.
The good-natured forward watched the Panthers stage a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat Brisbane in what many consider one of the greatest grand finals ever.
"It's something I think about every day, to be honest. Missing that game really stung me in 2023," Hosking shared with AAP ahead of Friday's matchup against the Panthers.
After being released by the Panthers, Hosking signed a multi-year contract with the Raiders, but injuries hampered his first season in Canberra.
This year has been Hosking's best to date, as the 28-year-old has secured a regular position in a top-tier team that boasts a strong forward lineup.
With three weeks left before finals, Hosking feels something extraordinary is coming together in Canberra and is eager for a second chance at grand-final success after his near-miss in 2023.