OFFICIAL: Canberra Raiders sign Caleb Aekins

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OFFICIAL: Canberra Raiders sign Caleb Aekins

Post by greeneyed »

Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Penrith Panthers fullback Caleb Aekins

In 23 days, the hottest collection of NRL talent comes onto the open market, which threatens to split up Penrith’s brilliant young side.

Canberra look to have already struck the first blow, with the Raiders set to land fullback Caleb Aekins, 22, to a multi-year contract from next season.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 947d50063e

Caleb Aekins biography

Height: 183 cm
Date of Birth: 21 November 1997
Weight: 91 kg
Birthplace: Whangarei, NZ
Age: 22
Nickname: C-Lab
Debut Club: Penrith Panthers
Date: 13 July 2018
Opposition: Cronulla Sharks
Round: 18
Previous Club: -
Junior Club: Otaika Eagles

Recruited from the Northland region of New Zealand, Aekins represented the Panthers NYC side in 2016 and 2017 before stepping up to the Panthers ISP side in 2018. His hard work was rewarded with a record-breaking NRL debut against Cronulla at Panthers Stadium. Starting at fullback, Aekins ran for 303 metres - the most by any player on debut in NRL history. He capped off his memorable 2018 season by being named Intrust Super Premiership NSW Player of the Year.

https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/team ... eb-aekins/
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Botman »

Hmmmmmmmmmmm....
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Raiders666 »

Can he play wing?
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by greeneyed »

Didn’t we try to sign him once before? And Phil Gould said something like... we’ll never release him?

No... that was Dylan Edwards.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by casta66 »

In the signing chat, someone said something about getting outsude backs cheap. Maybe this is one?? Best highlight I could see of him was getting smashed by Paulo :)
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Raiders666 »

Solid but not flashy is what I've heard from my Panthers mate. Does the little things right but won't set the world on fire in attack
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by timofy »

He's a good player but we already have a wealth of outside backs - a bit superfluous IMO. But then again, what do I know?
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Azza »

Future immortal
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Matt »

He is a solid backup FB. Surely we have a couple of those - Rapa, Simmo, HSS
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Colk »

timofy wrote: October 8, 2020, 8:49 pm He's a good player but we already have a wealth of outside backs - a bit superfluous IMO. But then again, what do I know?
A wealth of outside backs? We will have Aekins, Simonnson, Scott, Croker, Rapana, Valemei, HSS, Timoko and CNK. In a 28-30 man squad that is about right
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Colk »

Matt wrote: October 8, 2020, 8:50 pm He is a solid backup FB. Surely we have a couple of those - Rapa, Simmo, HSS
I’d say he would also be wing depth. We would have five players who could wing and four who could play fullback.

I don’t mind this signing. It gives some proper competition to CNK.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Botman »

Azza wrote: October 8, 2020, 8:49 pmFuture immortal
reckon we'll win the comp in 2021 aye?
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by casta66 »

His name sounds a bit like Kalyn Ponga.
So that's sort of exciting, I guess.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by BadnMean »

Well Ok. We needed one more outside back of at least journeyman NRL level. We got one, he's young so might have some more to show too. I'd say Ricky wants another year or 2 of reggies into Cook before he's an NRL prospect (if he is). This guy fills the void.

Is he quick?

Some highlights show he can throw a pass or two at least. 2019 Penrith canterbury Cup player of the year in what was a strong team. A dozen NRL games. Decent pickup.

Means if Scott's leg doesn't come good (sounds complicated) or we move him on, then we won't be short depth in the back 5 now at least.
Last edited by BadnMean on October 8, 2020, 10:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Chicka Chicka Chicka »

Perhaps an Oldfield replacement (if he moves on)? Depth for outside backs.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Lui_Bon »

I have vague (I mean REALLY vague) memories of seeing this guy play and he went allright. But I like new signings. They rejuvenate a place. Like turning over new sod. He could be great - and given he seems to be a kiwi, we won't miss him for Origin...
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by zim »

C-Lab you say?

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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Floydd »

timofy wrote: October 8, 2020, 8:49 pm He's a good player but we already have a wealth of outside backs - a bit superfluous IMO. But then again, what do I know?
We have not replaced Cotric in our squad yet and what we have is not enough quality or depth to go into a campaign next year, just look at Manly this year. I think it is a great move if he has come at the right price.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by gerg »

He was in a two way battle for the fullback spot with Edwards. I vaguely recollect that opinions were divided on which of the two was the better player. I also thought that he may have considered himself primarily as a fullback and not a winger but I guess he doesn't have the luxury of being so demanding, but you do wonder if the club is thinking about shifting CNK to the centres?

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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by julian87 »

He's pretty ordinary IMO and doesn't look suited to anywhere but fullback.

It's a solid no from me.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by zim »

gergreg wrote: October 9, 2020, 10:14 am He was in a two way battle for the fullback spot with Edwards. I vaguely recollect that opinions were divided on which of the two was the better player. I also thought that he may have considered himself primarily as a fullback and not a winger but I guess he doesn't have the luxury of being so demanding, but you do wonder if the club is thinking about shifting CNK to the centres?
I was firmly in Edwards camp when he was being criticized as terrible on his way back from injury. Aekins is depth. Might develop a bit as he gets more experience (only 22) but he's not pushing or shifting our guys in first grade unless we start the year with some injuries.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by bonehead »

I remember a few poster's saying Aekins was the better target

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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by simo »

Welcome Caleb, youre already ordinary and superfluous to requirements according to some of our fanbase before even signing! Youre well on your way to being a raiders great
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by FROG »

Haha @simo, indeed! Was pretty excited when i saw that we were in the hunt for him, as id only heard good things about him. I think its an astute signing as we dont really have depth in full back. We have guys who can do a job, nothing more. We need someone knocking the door down and hopefully caleb delivers this for us
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by FuiFui BradBrad »

bonehead wrote:I remember a few poster's saying Aekins was the better target

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Great, Sticks finally listening to the forum, and we’ve gone and changed our minds on this guy!

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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by FROG »

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2020/06/1 ... wednesday/

Judging by this article i can see why people are concerned... sounds like a bog average player.. i mean, the fact he doesnt have 4 try assists and 5 trys along with his 300m on debut clearly shows he is not cut out to be a first grade full back
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by zim »

He's had 12 games in first grade. 8 this year. Enough time for you to judge him off that rather than look at things that happened 2 years ago in reserve grade.
1 try assist. 10 tackle breaks. An average of 150m.

That's not shifting our starting 17.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by AUSTEZER »

Seems like an odd signing to me
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by sprintman »

AUSTEZER wrote: October 9, 2020, 12:36 pm Seems like an odd signing to me
This.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Belcher#1 »

looks an ok signing for depth but wouldn't pay $1 over minimum wage for him.

he was nothing but a handbrake on the panthers attack this season. Zero threat with the ball and below average in defense. I'd still pick CNK over him even if charnze was missing an arm and a leg
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Raiders666 »

julian87 wrote: October 9, 2020, 10:16 am He's pretty ordinary IMO and doesn't look suited to anywhere but fullback.

It's a solid no from me.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Raiders666 »

Belcher#1 wrote: October 9, 2020, 3:51 pm looks an ok signing for depth but wouldn't pay $1 over minimum wage for him.

he was nothing but a handbrake on the panthers attack this season. Zero threat with the ball and below average in defense. I'd still pick CNK over him even if charnze was missing an arm and a leg
Yep Panthers were so **** in attack when he played hahaha lol
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Belcher#1 »

Raiders666 wrote: October 9, 2020, 3:55 pm
Belcher#1 wrote: October 9, 2020, 3:51 pm looks an ok signing for depth but wouldn't pay $1 over minimum wage for him.

he was nothing but a handbrake on the panthers attack this season. Zero threat with the ball and below average in defense. I'd still pick CNK over him even if charnze was missing an arm and a leg
Yep Panthers were so **** in attack when he played hahaha lol
have you watched him play?
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by Northern Raider »

Never been overly impressed by him. Even when the Panthers were running hot this year he still looked like he was filling space. He's not really a bad player. I just haven't seen much upside.

Provides a backup option at fullback, which we currently don't have so I've got no problem with the signing.
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Re: Canberra Raiders reportedly set to sign Caleb Aekins

Post by RedRaider »

I'd not heard much about CNK when he came to us after playing mostly reggies for the Warriors and he turned out ok. C-lab playing reggies for the 2020 FG minor premiers is no issue imo. If Peter Mulholland has recommended him for the Raiders to sign, that's good enough for me.
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