While outsiders laud the Raiders as the surprise packets of the NRL, Stuart is at pains to downplay the hype, which is nowhere to be seen internally.

Standards are higher. Expectations are higher. The ninth-placed Raiders have a 6-7 record and are legitimate finals contenders, but they remain a work in progress.

"We haven't done anything yet, there's no highlights yet," Stuart said.

"The biggest thing for me is we're progressing, we're improving, but we haven't done anything yet.

"It doesn't matter if you come 16th or ninth, you haven't succeeded.

"We've got to set ourselves a standard we're all very comfortable with and proud of, and we're not there yet.

"We can't be getting too far ahead of ourselves, we're not even in the eight."

Stuart reckons the day he starts listening to his team's critics is the day he'll hang up the clipboard.

The detractors were out in force when the club's pursuit of big names James Tedesco, Kevin Proctor and Josh Mansour came to nought.

The recruitment of Sia Soliola and Josh Hodgson, Sisa Waqa, Frank-Paul Nu'uausala, Sam Williams and Blake Austin was greeted by collective silence from most of the NRL world.

The players he's brought in have helped transform the Raiders into the big improvers of the competition, thanks largely to a positive attack that turns its nose up at the structure which shackles other sides.

"They [recruits] were big names to me, I knew what I was recruiting," he said.

"Everybody kept talking about all these big names we kept losing in recruitment.

"The only people who were comfortable with our recruitment was the people at our club.

"The day I start listening to the outside critics or the public opinion is the day I'll finish coaching."

The Raiders are the highest-scoring team in the NRL. They also have the second-worst defence.

Stuart's been around long enough to know you can't get away with winning games 40-20 long term, and has challenged his team to put as much pride in defence as outscoring the opposition.

"The boys have a great desire to win and that's evident in the way we attack," Stuart said.

"We need to have the same emphasis in our defence, which is what is letting us down at the moment.

"It's not our structure or our strategy, it's individual performance in regards to our defence which is letting us down.

"If we defend the way we're defending now, you don't win the big games when it counts."

The Raiders may not have as much class as some of the heavyweight teams in the competition, but their application week-to-week has seen a major improvement.

A 34-6 loss to the Roosters in round four is the only time they've been blown off the park. Every other match they've been in up to their eyeballs, and only inexperience and inconsistent patches has prevented them being higher up the ladder.

Stuart has been a constant on the sidelines this year, which gives him a more intimate association with his team as they do battle.

"I know the players like to see me down there, and I prefer it too," he said.

"I'm a little bit different to other coaches. I want to be mates with the boys, and then I want to coach them.

"That's every player in the club, it's not just first grade.

"It's unique, it's different to other coaches, but I feel I can get the best out of players when they know I care about them."

THE STANDOUT

When Blake Austin put pen to paper on his three-year Raiders deal, most applauded it as an astute signing with one eye to the future. The former Wests Tiger has needed only 13 rounds to prove the future is now. Despite never nailing down a permanent spot at Concord, Austin's impact has been so immense there was genuine outrage in some quarters when he was overlooked by NSW. His run-first approach suits the Raiders system down to the ground, as they play with less structure than most other NRL teams. Seven tries at the halfway mark of the season is a terrific return for a half.

THE HIGHLIGHT

The Raiders' license to back themselves. Canberra has young players talented enough to try their hand more than many other teams, and Stuart has clearly given them the green light to do so, when the time is right. The Raiders are averaging over 24 points per game this year to be the NRL's No.1 attacking team. They've shown in comeback wins over the Tigers and Souths once they get on a roll they're difficult to stop. Some teams, especially the Tigers, have stuttered by enforcing more structure on young, confident players who perform better when playing what's in front of them.

WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

It's a broken record. Their edge defence. The Raiders have been stripped of numbers on the flanks with embarrassing ease at times this year. It's an issue that has been paramount for many seasons. The middle third has publicly taken much of the blame for allowing opponents to quickly play the balls, which has placed more pressure on the edges. Once the Raiders fix that, they can score enough points to beat anybody.

THE RECRUITS

Have the Raiders recruited better than any other side this year? If value for money and output are the key denominators, then they could mount a serious case. Wests Tigers recruit Blake Austin has been in scintillating form at five-eighth and has hogged most of the plaudits. But English hooker Josh Hodgson, back rower Sia Soliola, outside back Sisa Waqa and prop Frank-Paul Nu'uausala have all made huge impacts. Their leadership, on and off the field has been just as invaluable for a youthful outfit that is still a long way from reaching its potential.

THE BEST MOMENT

Round seven against Wests Tigers at Leichardt, equal-biggest comeback in club history: The last time the Raiders came back from a 22-point deficit, Stuart was still wearing the green No.7 jersey. It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Green Machine when the Tigers surged to a 22-0 first-half lead. But with a strong wind at their backs, the Raiders shocked the orange and black faithful. Stuart later described it as "the best comeback he's seen" and the NRL's new "comeback kings" went on to repeat the dose against defending premiers South Sydney the following week.

THE WORST MOMENT

Without doubt giving up an 18-0 lead at home to St George Illawarra in round three. Canberra were all over the Dragons, who were simply horrid in the first half after being just as diabolical in back-to-back losses to start the season. But led by halves Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop, the Dragons stormed home to win 22-20, which kickstarted a six-game winning streak. The mood in the Raiders sheds afterwards was as sombre as it's been for years, particularly given it was departed prop Dane Tilse's 200th game for the club.

THE PROSPECTS THIS YEAR

The Raiders have missed a few chances to improve their position further, most notably their home fadeout to St George Illawarra in round four after leading 18-0, and giving up a 26-0 lead at home to an Origin-weakened Canterbury before losing 41-34. But they have a highly favourable draw that gives them every chance to make the finals for the first time since 2012. Bar the high-flying Cowboys (twice), every team they play is currently behind them on the ladder. If they continue to enjoy luck with injuries, the Raiders can still be playing in September.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Ladder position: Ninth (won six, lost seven)

Points for: 319 (First)

Points against: 303 (15th)

DRAW TO COME

Round 14: Bye

Round 15: Saturday, June 20, 3pm: North Queensland (h)

Round 16: Saturday, June, 27, 3pm: Warriors (a)

Round 17: Bye

Round 18: Friday, July 10, 7.45pm: Newcastle (h)

Round 19: Saturday, July 18, 3pm: Cronulla (h)

Round 20: Sunday, July 26, 2pm: Penrith (h)

Round 21: North Queensland (a)

Round 22: Wests Tigers (h)

Round 23: Manly (h)

Round 24: Gold Coast (a)

Round 25: Penrith (h)

Round 26: Parramatta (h)