The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ decision to reacquire Brett Lauther last week meant a kicker had to go.
The smart money would have been on Alex Hale. After all, the rookie from Australia struggled for the first two-thirds of the season and has been relegated to the practice roster since being booed by Riders fans during the Labour Day Classic.
But the Riders chose to keep Hale around and release fellow Dawson Hodge on Sunday. Hodge, a fellow rookie, went 5-for-5 in his first two games after replacing Hale before missing two of four field-goal attempts in last Friday’s 37-31 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
Riders special teams coordinator Kent Maugeri shed some light on that decision on Monday’s edition of the SportsCage.
“Alex has a bright future. So does Dawson,” Maugeri said. “Alex had a really good camp when he was here, and he’s performed well. There’s some things that I think a lot of kickers go through. For example, look at Brett. Last year, he was battling. And then, look at him this year. Same thing with other kickers around the league.
“There’s a skill set that he has that I think can be really successful in our league with time. He just needs some more time to grow and improve, and I think he will.”
Hale’s 75 percent success rate (24 of 32) is the lowest among qualified kickers in the CFL this season. He’s also made just six of 13 attempts on kicks of 40 yards or more.
Improvement for Hale will have to continue to come away from game action with Lauther around.
In Lauther, the Riders now have an established kicker, someone who’s name is dotted all over the franchise record book. The 35-year-old Truro, N.S., native has been one of the best kickers in the CFL this season after a career-worst campaign in 2025.
Lauther connected on just 39 of 54 attempts (72.2 percent) amid a back injury last season. He’s 32-for-34 on field-goal tries this season.
“I was just as surprised as most,” Maugeri said. “I showed up on the trade deadline day, and Coach (Corey) Mace was waiting for me. He said, ‘Hey, we just traded for Brett.’ I was thrilled. I was super pumped for him. He was having a great year – is having a great year. His back is right.
“I’m excited to work with him again.”
Maugeri said the Riders are getting more than just a kicker in Lauther, someone who’s last tour of duty with the club started in 2018.
“He cares. He genuinely cares about his teammates,” the coach said. “And he’s unlike most kickers that you’ve ever been around. He’s a football player. I think that’s his athletic background. He was a positional player growing up. He was a hockey player.
“He’s tough. He wants to play. He plays through injuries. He works hard in the weight room. And he’s genuinely a good guy. He reaches out to the new players, tries to make them feel comfortable. Our crew was excited to get him back.”
It’s imperative that Lauther is in top form right away. The Riders next play on Monday when they travel to Montreal for a Grey Cup rematch against the Alouettes. Saskatchewan (8-7) has lost three straight games and five of its last seven. A playoff spot is far from a guarantee.
Lauther will have a new long snapper in Mike Benson and a new holder in punter Oscar Chapman compared to his last time in green and white. Any wrinkles must be ironed out quickly.
“Everything is different. Each kicker likes the ball held a certain way,” Maugeri said. “Some people like Alex, no tee. Other guys want the block. Their tilt. They lean. Maybe it’s tilted different if the wind is left to right versus a longer kick.
“All these things Oscar has to learn. Just our cadence and how we operate, and how Brett operates, everything is different. Just time on task. Those guys are already out their working. They care about their craft. I’m excited to watch them and looking forward to seeing them throughout the week.”
Watch the full segment below.
