Subtle, it ain't.

When you've won 13 of your past 14 games, you can afford to be confident. Have a little swagger. Sit a bit higher in the saddle.

The Canberra Raiders know they are coming up against a quality outfit.

They also know how close they came to notching their biggest scalp of the season the last time the two teams met.

It took a third Thurston field goal attempt, after Raiders back-rower Sia Soliola charged down the first two, to deliver the Cowboys a 21-20 victory at Canberra Stadium six weeks ago in round 15.

"It was a pretty tough one to deal with," Raiders captain Jarrod Croker said ahead of Saturday night's re-match in Townsville.

"We put in a massive effort in that game and to come away with a one-point loss was pretty tough, especially the way it happened with a couple of charge-down kicks.

"It obviously hurts a bit, but we've been pretty good at bouncing back and showing up at training in a pretty upbeat and positive frame of mind.

"We put in a good effort against one of the best sides in the competition. The more we get put in those situations, the better we get."

There was speculation on Friday that Raiders halfback Sam Williams could make a shock return from a partially-torn pectoral muscle two weeks ahead of schedule.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Williams' chances on Friday. If he is a late inclusion it would be a massive boost to the Raiders, and provide a steadying influence alongside the brilliant ball-running of five-eighth Blake Austin.

While the Raiders and the Cowboys are two of the most lethal attacking sides in the competition, Croker believes defence will come to the fore.

"Both sides will probably not want it to be a point-scoring-athon and both sides will be looking to win off the back of their defence," Croker said.

"I've got no doubt in my mind we're a better defensive side this year than we were this time last year.

"I'm comfortable with our defence, but we want to be better."

While Stuart has previously revealed the heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys affected the side mentally, he insisted it hasn't been used as motivation.

But he said testing one of the yardsticks despite only having 41 per cent of possession had generated belief.

"If we can play as well as did that game and get an even percentage of possession, we'll be very strong," Stuart said.

"The last time we played them we had 42 per cent of the football, you can't afford to give them that weight of possession.

"It made it a difficult job but we still only lost by one point.

"We've got some strong self belief in these players."

Having blown out to $9 at one stage to make the top eight, the Raiders have firmed into a $2.25 chance to play in the finals.

They need to win at least four of their remaining six games.

The Cowboys are the only team they face which is above them on the ladder.

Raiders centre Joey Leilua will be playing his third game for the club after switching from the Newcastle Knights mid-season.

"That was his best game last week and he'll get better the more time he plays with combinations out there," Croker said.

"We forget he probably missed a month of football between coming here and playing for the Knights.

"He'll be starting to get his match fitness back and will hopefully start peaking for us at the right time of year."

The Cowboys have plenty of motivation themselves to maintain their winning streak.

While keeping the pressure on the Brisbane Broncos for the minor premiership is paramount, a secondary focus is celebrating Scott's 200th game for the club.

Cowboys forward Gavin Cooper said the Australian and Queensland representative was still the benchmark prop in the NRL.

"He means a lot to this club," Cooper said. "There are a couple players vying for the [position] of top prop in the game, but I still hold him up there.

"He's a very outspoken leader, if there is something to be said, he won't shy away from it."

- With Jon Tuxworth