Former Raiders captain Alan Tongue says the possible absence of English international Josh Hodgson will put a severe dent in Canberra's finals aspirations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hodgson will have scans on a high ankle sprain sustained in Saturday night's 32-24 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.
The Raiders (8-11) will also be sweating on the results of the match review committee after star five-eighth Blake Austin (lifting tackle) and winger Edrick Lee (tripping) were put on report.
Back-rower Sia Soliola finished the game but will also have scans on Monday for a cheek injury.
A nine-day turnaround before Monday week's vital encounter with the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium will work in Hodgson's favour.
Tongue believed the Raiders were capable of winning four of their remaining five games to make the finals, but said the task was that much harder without Hodgson.
"I'd like to say I think they can, but it's going to make it a lot more difficult," Tongue said. "Looking across at all the hookers in the game, he and Mick Ennis have the best service out of dummy-half.
"It's a big loss because of his kicking game and creativity in and around the middle, but you still have guys who can do a great job."
Hodgson has been a superb addition to the Raiders in his first season in the NRL, giving Austin and Sam Williams quality ball and providing another kicking option.
Kurt Baptiste would be the most likely to come into the starting side, while Glen Buttriss could earn a first-grade recall on the bench.
Raiders premiership-winning fullback Gary Belcher – who called the Cowboys game for Fox Sports – said losing Hodgson would be a serious blow.
"They're going to miss him if he's out for any period of time," Belcher said.
"They will miss his kicking game because their kicking game was pretty ordinary last night. The trouble spot is in the halves.
"Williams and Austin are going along nicely, but if they lose Austin and Hodgson, I don't know there is a lot of back-up."
The Raiders would have to turn to Josh McCrone if Austin is suspended.
McCrone played the previous two weeks while halfback Williams was sidelined with a pectoral injury.
Those were the Country Origin representative's first games since being dropped after round three.
The Raiders showed their attacking brilliance when they burst out to an 18-0 lead against the Cowboys.
However, the weight of possession, several crucial errors and some Johnathan Thurston magic helped the Cowboys pile on 32 unanswered points.
The Raiders are still in the position where their finals' destiny is in their own hands.
All of their remaining five games are against teams below them on the ladder.
The match with Manly in a couple weeks is looming as the one that will decide their season.
The two sides are level on 20 competitions after Manly's stunning upset of the top of the table Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.
The Tigers showed they also won't be a pushover after getting past the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.
The Raiders have struggled to close out tight games this season, losing to the Cronulla Sharks in golden point and to the Cowboys 21-20 in Canberra.
Tongue said those near misses, along with giving up an 18-point lead to the Cowboys on Saturday night, could come back to haunt the Raiders.
"It's another one of those Cowboys games they will look back on and think they should have won, like the one in Canberra," Tongue said.
"Those few key losses are really going to hurt them in the run into the finals. There is still hope there, but it's going to be tough."
