Raiders teammate Hudson Young says Ethan Strange can easily handle the uncertainty of not knowing when, where, or even if, he will get into the Origin battle for each game of the 2026 series.
The Raiders five-eighth has worn the No.18 jersey for the Game One win in Sydney, the Game Two loss in Melbourne, and will be in it again for Game three in Brisbane.
The 21-year-old played the full 80 minutes in his Origin debut at Accor Stadium on May 27 after Mitchell Moses was a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury.
Strange’s success in the role scoring a try and having a line break and two line-break assists still delivered him the extended bench spot for Game Two on June 27, where he played just 16 minutes.
But the see-sawing nature of Strange’s Origin campaign would not irritate him in the slightest, Young said.
Built for Origin
“Ethan as a person is a pretty chilled-out dude and that helps in these big moments,” Young said.
“He’s always relaxed but don’t be fooled, he works very hard on his game and has great people around him.
“He leans on that and he’s always eager to learn and that’s why he will go far in this game. He cares about his footy and loves his state.
“Any position he can handle because he’s a talented footballer.”
Strange said the unpredictability of No.18 didn’t faze him at all.
“I’m just so stoked and happy to be here, being in camp, lapping up each experience because I know I can get on at any time,” he said.
“I do the same preparation as the others. I prepare as if I’m playing. I prepare that I could be called on at any time.
Strange flattens Munster
“I have no preference – just wherever – I just love playing footy.”
Fatherly advice from Roosters NRLW head coach and NSW women’s mentor John Strange is definitely one of Strange’s reference points, although John has never been in an Origin decider having won the 2025 and 2026 series after the second game.
“To be honest we don’t talk a lot about footy much any more,” Ethan said.
“When I was young and he was my coach we did, but he doesn’t offer any tips these days. He tries to be just my dad when I’m at home.
“I still watch a lot of what he does because he’s been a very successful coach.”
From the field: Ethan Strange
Both John and mum Adele will be travelling to Suncorp Stadium for the July 8 contest.
“He’s been to the first two Origins so he won’t be missing this one.”
Young said all the NSW squad was eager to run out onto Suncorp Stadium for a far better performance than at the MCG.
“We know what we’re walking into in Brisbane and as a player that’s exciting because it’s such a big challenge and opportunity to make so many people in NSW proud,” Young said.
