The protracted legal resolution of George Williams' contract has left the Raiders vulnerable to missing out on available talent with the club unable to seriously pursue a replacement until the Englishman's early release has been finalised.
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Recruitment staff have started scouring the available halves market ahead of the Raiders' bye this weekend, but have already missed one potential star target after Nicho Hynes penned a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks.
In a market lacking depth and quality, off-contract Hynes had emerged as a long-term option for the Raiders after starring in recent wins over Canberra, and the Brisbane Broncos.
Out-of-favour Bronco Anthony Milford is believed to have already been shopped to his old club, while English veteran Gareth Widdop has also appeared on the radar.
Cronulla half Chad Townsend has been thrown into the mix, although would only offer a stop gap before joining North Queensland in 2022.
It is yet to be determined whether the Raiders will target a short-term half to fill the breach for the remainder of 2021, or pursue a longer-term solution for 2022 and beyond.
Veteran Sam Williams took over at halfback in Saturday's heavy loss to the Roosters. Highly rated young gun Brad Schneider and local junior Matt Frawley are also on the club's books as possible back up for the remainder of this year.
A replacement is not likely to have been secured before five-eighth Jack Wighton returns from State of Origin duty next week, as the Raiders and Williams' management iron out the early release from his three-year contract.
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Wighton was retained in Brad Fittler's NSW team, although has dropped to the bench so in-form Penrith Panthers halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai can pair up in the starting side.
The Blues squad have rejigged their preparations in Coogee this week to attend the funeral of rugby league immortal Bob Fulton on Friday.
Meanwhile, Glenn Lazarus was inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Pyrmont on Monday night before 470 attendees.
Touching tributes to Fulton and Tommy Raudonikis were also observed as Lazarus joined Billy Smith and Brett Kenny as the latest additions to the NSW Hall of Fame.
Queanbeyan-born Lazarus was part of the 1989 and 1990 Raiders premierships and remains the only player to win grand finals at three different clubs. He played in 19 State of Origins.
"The annual True Blues dinner is always a highlight on the NSWRL calendar and it was a privilege to welcome Billy Smith, Brett Kenny and Glenn Lazarus as the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame," NSWRL Chairman Dr George Peponis said.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
