Herbert a Raider until 2010

Exciting young halfback Marc Herbert has become the latest Raiders long term signing, after he extended his contract up until the end of 2010 today.

Herbert was previously on contract until the end of 2008, and joins fellow Raider Troy Thompson as the second player to sign into the next decade.

Possessing the ability to play halfback, five-eighth and in the outside backs, Herbert has come along in leaps and bounds this season, playing in both the Raiders Jersey Flegg and Premier League sides.

A driving force behind last years Raiders SG Ball (under 18's) premiership side, Herbert has shown a maturity beyond his 19 years, and has impressed the Raiders to the extent that they felt they needed to have him signed up long term.

Herbert said he is ready for the challenge of making the next step with the Raiders, and is happy with the career choice that he has made.

"It's a good feeling and it has secured my future which is good. I have a lot of family and friends here and the Raiders offered me a good deal so there wasn't much need to look elsewhere," Herbert said. "They see me as long term and in first grade so I'm hoping to push for that next year and see how I go."

Herbert said he is thrilled to join the growing list of long term Raiders, and looks forward to playing first grade football with the players that he has played with so far in his career.

"There are a lot of players that have signed long term so there is a good core group there which should be good," he said. "I have played with a lot of the juniors coming up so it's exciting to play with the guys you know."

Raider's general manager Don Furner said signing Herbert shows the tremendous faith the club has in its junior development, and has earmarked him for future selection within the Raiders first grade side.

"Marc has been targeted for a long time as a future first grader and it's great that he has put pen to paper today." Furner said. "I think it's a vote of confidence in the players around him, the club and our development policy.

"He obviously sees a pathway here otherwise he would have left, so I think he'll get there."

Furner said Herbert's rapid rise through the playing ranks bodes well for his future, and expects big things from the promising half.

"To go from SG Ball to handling himself so well in Premier League I think everyone stepped back and said we need to have this guy long term and he has deserved it."

Marc Herbert 2006 statistics
Premier League – 14 matches, 1 try, 26 goals, 56 points.
Jersey Flegg – 5 matches