As reported by The Mole, Canberra Raiders have reportadly added another promising talent to their ranks, securing the signature of Manly Sea Eagles Jersey Flegg halfback and captain Callum Dowell on a deal that will see him link up with the club ahead of the 2026 season.
Known for his strong organisational skills, short kicking game, and ability to control tempo, Dowell has been one of the standout playmakers in the under-21s competition this year.
He’s drawn consistent praise for his leadership and composure under pressure, steering a youthful Sea Eagles side around the park with maturity beyond his years.
This also coincides with the reported interest in the Raiders’ own Jersey Flegg captain and halfback Keahn Skipps, who came through Canberra’s development system and is reportedly being chased by the Panthers.
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In a sign the Panthers may be close to snaring Skipps, the Raiders appear to have moved fast to replace him with another star Jersey Flegg captain who has been instrumental to the Sea Eagles’ lower-grade sides and highly rated as a local junior.
Canberra has a strong recent track record of nurturing young players into first-grade regulars, and Dowell is expected to join the system with an eye on pushing for an NRL debut in future seasons to add to the Raiders promising young core.
The club has placed a strong emphasis on building both depth and youth over the past two seasons, with the likes of Ethan Strange, Owen Pattie and others graduating into first-grade regulars and forming a large part of the Raiders’ current success.
While he is yet to crack first grade, those within junior representative circles see Dowell as a player with real upside, particularly under a system like Canberra’s — where most recently young five-eighth Ethan Strange has flourished under the tutelage of one of the great halfbacks in Ricky Stuart.
With Jamal Fogarty moving to the Sea Eagles next year and Ethan Sanders expected to take over the No.7 jersey, Dowell will likely slot in as a backup option and long-term project, though there is a chance he could push Sanders for the starting role in the near future.
For Dowell, it’s a chance to take the next step in his development at a club that has shown faith in giving opportunities to young talent — and if his trajectory continues, a debut might not be as far away as once thought.