Campese's absence from the Mal Meninga Medal ceremony shocked Raiders players and staff, who had no indication the 30-year-old captain would be a no-show.

A Raiders spokesman said Campese was unlikely to face any sanction for missing the event, attended by 600 of the club's sponsors and stakeholders at the AIS. The club also expects him to report for pre-season training when it begins on October 29.

But the incident threatens to further destabilise the relationship between Campese and the NRL club he has proudly represented for more than a decade.

Campese had attended a season de-brief and barbecue with Raiders players on Wednesday afternoon, where squad members were given an off-season training program. Campese gave no notice he would be skipping the presentation ceremony that same night.

The club hasn't asked Campese for an explanation, while the veteran five-eighth has not responded to calls from Fairfax Media.

While some within Raiders ranks understand it would have been tough for Campese to face the scrutiny of supporters at the presentation, there is disappointment in the administration that he did not turn up.

Campese remains contracted to the Raiders for 2015 and has previously stated he's prepared to fight on to resurrect his NRL career in Canberra next year. He played the final three games with Canberra's feeder-club, Mounties, impressing coaching staff with his application and attitude.

But there is no doubt Campese has been shattered by his demotion to NSW Cup towards the end of this season, and the prospect of being stuck there next year. It also seems untenable that Campese could retain the captaincy.

Campese was denied a mid-season release to join English Super League club Hull FC on a potential three-year deal after the Raiders and his manager, Jim Banaghan, could not agree on a payout.

The Super League remains the most likely option for Campese if he is to leave the Raiders, but there are limited spots available and he would likely have to take a big pay-cut.

Stuart and Raiders management would not comment on the situation. Stuart said a month ago that the Campese situation would be "handled professionally", but it is now becoming messy.

"It won't become a soap opera, it'll be handled professionally and decently," Stuart said on August 16. "All along I've been trying to protect Terry and look after Terry's interests."

The Raiders are looking to replenish their halves stocks, given senior halfback Josh McCrone has reverted to a utility hooking role and Anthony Milford has departed for the Brisbane Broncos.

Promising junior Mitch Cornish was given the chance to start at halfback in the last two matches, which the Raiders won. The Raiders have almost finalised a two-year deal to bring back half Sam Williams, after he defected to the St George Illawarra Dragons at the end of 2013. Williams' signing adds more depth.

But Canberra's prime target for the halves is Wests Tigers utility Blake Austin. The Tigers are not yet budging on Austin's request for a release from the final year of his contract at the Tigers to join the Raiders in 2015.

Austin wants to establish himself as an NRL five-eighth at the Raiders, but the Tigers say he remains in their plans for 2015.

The Raiders remain in the market for players and are waiting to see if any become available due to salary-cap pressure at rival clubs. There would be interest in players such as Josh Hoffman (Brisbane Broncos), Gerard Beale (Dragons) and Brett Stewart (Manly), but the club has dismissed interest in Newcastle flyer Akuila Uate.