The Canberra Raiders have confirmed the re-signing of Ata Mariota through to the end of the 2028 NRL season.
Mariota, rated as one of the best young forwards in the game, has realised his potential in recent seasons, become a permanent part of Ricky Stuart's side in 2023 and never looked back.
The forward, able to play in the middle or on the edge, now has 87 games under his belt, and will only continue to see an increasing role in the coming years as some of Canberra's aging forward pack head for the exit.
Mariota's new contract takes him through to the end of 2028, with the two-year extension taking him off the open market and away from the eyes of expansion teams until at least November 1 next year.
“I'm so happy to re-sign here. Canberra is home now and this club has given me everything. I just want to re-pay that as best I can,” Mariota said.
“I'm so lucky to be learning off Papa and Taps. I just pick their brains and take anything I can out of their games into mine."
The forward, who has spent a share of time in both positions, starting and off the bench throughout the course of the year, will likely move into a permanent starting middle third role next year.
That comes with Josh Papalii and Corey Horsburgh both likely to leave the club, while Joseph Tapine is also approaching the end of his career.
The second-row has more in the way of depth for the green machine, but Mariota is likely viewed as the player to steer the engine room into the future.
The club's recruitment manager Craig Hutchison said it was an important move to re-sign Mariota.
“Ata is a valued member of our NRL squad and has become an important part of our club. He is a hard-working, dynamic forward who has developed into an international player and will continue to grow at the Raiders,” Hutchison said.
“Ata is also another player who has come through our pathways, playing SG Ball back in 2019 and came through the Cup and Flegg systems before establishing himself as an NRL forward."
Mariota will go past the 100-game barrier next year.
