Another former Raiders captain, Simon Woolford, said it was time for Canberra's forwards to collectively justify their reputation as one of the NRL's biggest and most powerful packs.

Learoyd-Lahrs has played a minimal role for the Raiders since returning from a hamstring injury two weeks ago, registering just two hit-ups for 17 metres in his 29 minutes against the Warriors last weekend.

Despite Canberra completely dominating the Bulldogs two weeks ago, Learoyd-Lahrs only contributed six hit-ups for a gain of 44m.

Impressed by the late form of Canberra's starting props David Shillington and Dane Tilse, Tongue said Learoyd-Lahrs needed to maintain the rage for the Raiders after the opening 20 minutes.

Tongue said learoyd-Lahrs needs to be a game-breaker when he comes off the bench and is injected into Sunday's final. ''He's such a powerful athlete that he just needs to go out there and use his size, use his presence,'' he said.

''He doesn't just need to get on the back of what Shillo and Tilsey do at the start, he almost needs to take it to another level. This guy's a representative forward, he's one of the big names in our side and he needs to come on there and really take it to another level … I think he holds a big key to winning this game.

''It's so vital after that first 20-minute period when the big front-rowers are starting to tire from both teams and the packs are starting to wear out, that you can inject someone in there to lift the intensity.''

Learoyd-Lahrs, who is set to play his 100th game for the Raiders, has been hindered by a hamstring injury and there has been trepidation in his performances.

Woolford was confident Learoyd-Lahrs, an Australian and NSW representative two years ago, would step up in the finals. ''You can understand players being tentative with those sorts of injuries but this is an elimination semi-final, he's got to leave nothing in the tank. He's big and he's strong, and if he comes out and goes 100 miles an hour with the ball in hand then he's going to be awfully hard to stop,'' he said.

''He's got to try and block that hamstring issue out of his mind and realise there could be no next week after this. I'm sure that'll bring out the best in Tommy.''

While former Raider and NSW five-eighth Todd Carney is Cronulla's obvious danger man, Tongue and Woolford both agreed stopping Paul Gallen and the Sharks pack was Canberra's priority.

Gallen has rallied his forwards to raise their game, including an all-star back row of Anthony Tupou and Jeremy Smith.

But Woolford said the Sharks pack had developed great balance, picking up discarded props Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita in the off-season.

''They've got the balance right, they've got a good rotation. You look at the two packs on paper, especially talking front-rowers, I'm sure most teams would pick our boys any day of the week. But on paper and putting it together on the field are two different things. That's the challenge this week … to work collectively against a pack that's gone well all year,'' he said.

Tongue added: ''Toddy Carney's got the X-factor and so much comes off him and [halfback Jeff] Robson, but they can't do their thing without the platform being laid by their big fellas.''