For a coach who doesn't like to look into the future, Furner couldn't help but salivate yesterday at the prospect of hosting a blockbuster in week two of the finals.

But first his young stars must lift against the Panthers at CUA Stadium and continue their surge to the top of the NRL.

And after a ''flat'' week of training last week, Furner declared the Raiders had rediscovered their spark.

''There's a lot of confidence in the side at the moment and we're in a position where we've got to win,'' Furner said.

''You don't get a second chance and for us it's pretty exciting. Also, if you win you get the opportunity for a home semi and there are a lot of things there on offer ... that would be massive.

''The whole squad was buzzing [at training yesterday], then we've got the club presentation night [tonight] and that's a chance to reflect.

''It's going to be a hostile situation at Penrith, it's going to be a cracker of a game and then if we win that, the excitement of having a home final would be pretty good.''

For more on this story, including Danny Galea's reaction to his new one-year deal with Canberra, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.