The Raiders haven't held back their trump players for tomorrow night's opening trial match against the Melbourne Storm in Albury, coach David Furner claiming he's not interested in trying to bluff Canberra's round one opponents.
Melbourne's star trio of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater won't play tomorrow, either rested or injured.
But Canberra will throw everything it has at the Storm, including the four players who are backing up from last Saturday night's All Stars encounter on the Gold Coast.
The Raiders and Storm meet again in round one of the NRL season at Canberra Stadium on March 3, but Furner said he was more intent on bringing out the best in his combinations rather than hiding his game plan from Craig Bellamy's Storm.
''We're looking to get as much out of these trials as possible. It's about game time as opposed to keeping any secrets from the Storm for the round one clash,'' Furner said.
''We've had some pretty good opposed sessions but it's nothing like the real thing. We're playing against a side that we're not really sure what they're going to throw at us and they're not sure what we're going to throw at them.''
Kangaroos prop David Shillington, who has an infected elbow, and centre Jarrod Croker (knee) are the only NRL regulars missing from Canberra's 25-man squad.
NSW fullback Josh Dugan will back up from last week's NRL All Stars game on the Gold Coast, as will Indigenous representatives Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joel Thompson and Travis Waddell.
Uncapped front-rowers Mark Ioane and Paul Vaughan, hooker Matt McIlwrick and utility Michael Picker have been cut from the 30-man touring party and are expected to play for the Raiders' feeder club Mounties in a trial against Illawarra.
In contrast, Storm coach Bellamy will be without three of the world's best players - Slater (collarbone), Smith (shoulder) and Cronk (rested).
All three are expected to be fit for the start of the season.
Learoyd-Lahrs said Raiders players would not be holding anything back.
''Everyone's wanting to impress and play well because the reality is not everyone's going to get a jumper for round one,'' Learoyd-Lahrs said.
''You've got to go out there and play hard.
''It's hard to ignore we are playing [Melbourne] in round one, but I don't think you're going to get an advantage by beating them [in the trial].
''It's about getting combinations right and making sure everyone knows where they are on the field.
''Obviously we'd like to win the game, but once round one rolls around it's a different ball game altogether.''
Raiders player of the year in 2011 Shaun Fensom will take his place at lock after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season.
Having finished as the second-highest tackler in the competition last season, the reigning Mal Meninga Medallist is keen to increase his endurance levels.
''My rehab went really well and the strength and conditioning staff were able to get me back on the paddock quicker than first thought. I'm feeling pretty fit and the shoulder's ready to go,'' Fensom said.
TOMORROW
Trial match: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Lavington Oval, Albury, 7pm.
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