After initially joining the Raiders on a one-year development contract, Bailey Simonsson quickly showed that he was ready for NRL action.
Simonsson impressed early on in the Raiders pre-season and the club soon upgraded his contract allowing him to play NRL for the 2019 season.
Simonsson was named to make his debut in the Raiders Round 1 match against the Gold Coast Titans at CBUS Super Stadium on the wing.
The former All Blacks Sevens star shined in the Raiders 21-0 win and even bagged himself a try when he latched onto a kick by Aidan Sezer in the 64th minute.
With the Raiders enjoying a relatively injury free first couple of months, Simonsson had to bide his time to play at NRL level again. The versatile outside back showed his class after constantly impressing for the Raiders NSW Cup side Mounties.
Simonsson returned to the Raiders side for their Round 8 clash against the Penrith Panthers in Wagga Wagga and remained in the 17 until the end of the year.
The former West Belconnen junior played a pivotal role in the Raider's charge towards the 2019 finals series scoring two tries in the Raiders 46-12 drubbing of the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.
NRL Rookies of the Year - Bailey Simonsson & Corey Horsburgh
After initially being named on the interchange for the Raiders Qualifying Final against the Melbourne Storm, Simonsson quickly found himself in the starting side after Joey Leilua was forced to receive treatment for a piece of firework spark in the eye. Incredibly, Simonsson scored the opening try of the game inside the first three minutes as the Raiders went on to record a memorable 12-10 win at AAMI Park.
Simonsson's year was topped off after he was jointly awarded the Raiders Rookie of the year at the Meninga Medal awards night alongside Corey Horsburgh as well as receiving a call up for the New Zealand Kiwis squad for their matches against Australia, England, and Tonga.
