Campese Re-Signs with Raiders

Canberra Raiders utility Terry Campese has agreed to a new two year deal with the green machine, in a move that will see him remain in Canberra and Rugby League until at least the end of the 2008 season.

Campese is the current captain of the Raiders Premier League team, and has shown a great versatility for the Raiders this season by playing a number of positions including second row, lock and five-eighth.

A local junior who has sprung from the Rugby League breeding ground of Queanbeyan, Campese will look to 2007 as a chance to play more first grade football, in a new look Raiders side under new Coach Neil Henry.

Campese said he is looking forward to the challenge of returning to the Raiders first grade side next year, and is keen to make more of an impact in the Rugby League arena.

"Obviously with Jason Smith going there is a chance to go back up to first grade next season, so that's something I will be working on over the off-season," Campese said. "I am happy that I am staying in Rugby League and with the Raiders, because they are the team I have always wanted to play for."

After starting the season as a back rower Campese now finds himself playing his preferred position of five-eighth, a position that Raiders Coach Matt Elliott said the stint in the forwards has improved enormously.

"Terry's time in the back row has helped him to develop into more of a running five-eighth and improved his game immensely," Elliott said. "I'm sure next year Terry will definitely be in the first grade mix."

Raider's general manager Don Furner said the Raiders are happy Campese has remained a Raider, and are looking forward to watch him continue to develop over the next two years.

"Terry is a great prospect and at the age of 22 still has plenty of football ahead of him," Furner said. "He is another local boy playing with the Raiders, and its great to have him remain with the club."