Dunemann knows he can boost his chances by leading the Raiders to a season-ending victory against the finals-bound Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. The Raiders board will convene before kick-off to discuss its options for the head coaching role for next season.

Up to 16 candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, with Raiders great Ricky Stuart, premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens and sacked Cowboys coach Neil Henry among the leading contenders.

Dunemann applied for the Cowboys position before being installed as interim Raiders coach following David Furner's sacking.

After initially wanting to keep his options open, Dunemann contacted the Cowboys on Thursday morning to inform them he was putting all his eggs in the Raiders' basket.

''Initially I was going to keep my hat in two jobs, but I don't think that's a real good sign,'' Dunemann said. ''I'm in a good position here and want to have a crack at it. I want to be here, I want the job and I want to send that message.''

Paul Green is strongly favoured to become the new Cowboys coach, while Kevin Walters is also in consideration. Stuart has a get-out clause in his contract with the Eels which would allow him to join the Raiders. A four-man subcommittee, including Raiders great Mal Meninga, chief executive Don Furner and board members David Thom and Allan Hawke, have been appointed in the search for a coach.

The Raiders have lost both games since Dunemann took over, going down 36-22 to Manly in round 24 before last week's 50-16 thrashing at the hands of the Warriors. Dunemann has had to deal with a wealth of off-field distractions and a squad decimated through injury.

He remains confident the Raiders have a young and talented roster capable of rising up the ladder once they have a settled off-season to prepare for next year.

Dunemann has the experience of coaching the Raiders' under-20s team to last year's grand final.

Rookie sensation Anthony Milford has graduated to the first-grade ranks, while halfback Mitch Cornish is likely to get his opportunity next season.

''It's a pretty unique squad we've got here, it's definitely a Gen Y squad,'' Dunemann said. ''I know how to handle these groups. I know with an off-season in them it will be a completely different team.''

Dunemann said he hadn't considered what recruiting moves the Raiders would make in the off-season if he got the position.

The Raiders should have room to move in the salary cap following the departures of Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan, Joel Thompson, Sam Williams and Shaun Berrigan.

''We'll cross the bridge when we come to it,'' Dunemann said. ''I'm more concerned about tomorrow and making sure I give myself the best chance to get the job. Winning tomorrow will definitely help my cause.''

Meanwhile, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has called for the Sharks to show a finals-type attitude against the Raiders, but admits the result will mean little in the bigger picture.

Flanagan will make late calls on the fitness of five-eighth Todd Carney and Anthony Tupou. He said the challenge against Canberra was similar to what his side faced against the Cowboys last week when, with a finals spot secured, they crashed 31-18 at home.

''There was no real vigour or any spark in our game because the game didn't mean a lot and I think the boys were looking a little bit further down the track to next week,'' he said. ''We see ourselves seven or eight days out from a semi-final, so we've got to make sure that we want a semi-final attitude [going] into this game.''

with AAP