'He'll play for Australia': Stuart's not-so Strange tip
Unknown to most NRL fans before the season's start, Strange bagged a spectacular try-scoring hat-trick in Friday night's 28-12 win over Manly to lead the Raiders back to the top of the NRL ladder.
But it wasn't merely the tries, but more the manner in which he scored them - and when - that drew lavish praise from his veteran coach.
Watch all the highlights as the Raiders take on the Sea Eagles in Round 23! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/PxLpUOpoVL
— NRL (@NRL) August 8, 2025
After collecting Canberra's opening try in the 10th minute, Strange took the game by the scruff off the neck when the Raiders found themselves behind on the scoreboard midway through the second half.
First he took on and beat the Manly defence to storm over in the 54th minute.
Then Strange skilfully reeled in an audacious flick pass from coach Stuart's son Jed down the left wing to realistically put the game beyond Manly's reach.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person, and I don't say that outlandishly," Stuart said.
"For a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates is similar to Laurie Daley when Laurie was a young player."
With a favourable run home, Canberra are fast firming to claim their first premiership since Stuart and Daley were at the forefront of the legendary Green Machine that won three between 1989 and 1994.
But Stuart is predicting even greater honours for Strange - and doesn't mind sharing his thoughts.
"I've got a very strong opinion of where he's going to go as a player," the former Blues coach and premiership-winning mentor said.
"You look at his game today to where he started with us a year and a half, two years ago, 25, 30 games into his career.
"He's got an unbelievable future. I think he'll play for Australia this year and he'll be our next five-eighth for NSW.
"And I don't sit here gloating. I don't sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that.
"He's got Origin attitude the way he defends, the way he runs the football.
"He's got qualities of a representative player already as a young person and, as I say, I don't say that outlandishly."
Stuart said he was unconcerned about placing such heady expectations on the young super talent.
"I know I'm talking about big shoes to fill and (people will say), 'You're putting too much pressure on Ethan'. Bad luck, he'll handle it,'' the coach said.
"If you're ever going to make it in this game, you've got to handle pressure, and he will."
Raiders captain Joseph Tapine agrees Strange is something special.
"He's strong as well," Tapine said.
"And he's still young in his communication stage as well. When he starts to come out of his shell and open up and starts talking a bit more, it's going to go to another level.
"So it's impressive where he is at the moment, but exciting where he can get to soon."
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