Michael Asomua spent the best part of 2022 powering up the pecking order among the Canberra Raiders’ outside backs.
His career until then had already led him to an UNE SG Ball Cup Premiership and selection in the NSW City, Future Blues and Australian Schoolboys squads in 2021, which became the springboard for what Asomua would achieve 12 months on.
A proven finisher with eight tries and 78 tackle busts from his 10 games in SG Ball Cup in 2021, Asomua was promoted straight into The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Raiders’ side for 2022, playing 16 matches in the state’s premier competition.
He completed the season with five tries, 10 line-breaks, 60 tackle busts and eclipsed 1800 total running metres (over 112 per game), showing he had no issues matching it with his more experienced opposition.
Midway through the year, Asomua was named on the left flank in a NSW Under 19s side which included two of his Raiders teammates – centre partner Bard Morkos and captain Trey Mooney.
Asomua’s two-try effort had a massive influence on the 32-4 scoreline. The first try came 10 minutes after NSW conceded the opening four-pointer to Queensland’s Jacob Mene, as a third-tackle shift close to the line ended up in his hands to even things up.
Later in the contest with eight minutes remaining, the 19-year-old added the final touch to the win with an overhead catch from a looping Jonah Pezet pass before diving in to score.
Returning to the NSW Cup the Raiders just missed the finals by one competition point, but Asomua’s first appearance in a NSW jersey was undoubtedly his most memorable moment for 2022.
With another strong season ticked off for the Raiders’ flyer in readiness for 2023, Michael Asomua is well and truly on the rise in the ACT.
