Key duo Aidan Sezer and Shannon Boyd are set to return from injury in a massive boost for a Canberra Raiders outfit looking to salvage its season.
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Sezer's return to five-eighth pushes Blake Austin to centre, while Nick Cotric has moved to fullback for the Raiders' clash with the Penrith Panthers at Panthers Stadium on Sunday.
Boyd and Sezer passed fitness tests at Raiders headquarters on Tuesday afternoon with the heavyweight prop taking his place on the bench, shifting Sia Soliola to prop and Luke Bateman to the bench.
The Green Machine are the smallest of mathematical chances to play finals football in a scenario that would have most planning their Mad Monday outfits and off-season holidays.
Liam Knight has been bumped to the extended bench alongside Jack Murchie but the defiant Raiders forward says his season is far from over as he looks to stake a claim for a long-term place in Canberra's top 17.
"Every week I’m going out there to put my best foot forward and show Ricky I can be here long-term and do my best," Knight said.
"Every week I’m trying to do better and be better, same as all of the other boys. The season is not over for us, we’ve still got some pride on the line and we want to do well every game.
"I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting as many games in as possible for the remainder of the season. We’ve just got to start from training and everyone buying in, which we’ve been good [at]."
Stuart says Canberra's injury toll forced him to name Michael Oldfield in his 21-man squad last week even though he knew he would be out injured for the remainder of the season.
The Raiders mentor says he did it to cover the fact Sia Soliola was going to play at centre - a role Knight laughs he will take with both hands if he ever has to.
"If he wants to put me at centre I’ll give it my best, but I haven’t played centre for about eight years," Knight joked.
"There’s been a couple of injuries but that’s footy I suppose. You’re not always going to have everything your way, the boys have been facing adversity and just working hard together."
Canberra utility Siliva Havili has been forced to play out of position since Josh Hodgson returned to the hooking role but the change in scenery hasn't bothered him one bit.
Havili was preparing for life after football before Canberra recruitment manager Peter Mulholland offered him a lifeline and the Tongan international is determined to make the most of his time in the top grade.
"I enjoy it. I debuted playing at lock even though I was an established hooker," Havili said.
"I’ll take my chances and I’m just grateful to be playing NRL footy. If I can do a job in the middle at lock or help the boys in different areas, I’m just happy to be doing that.
"It’s a big job to do, playing out of position, and that’s something that is up to the coaches to decide. Whoever comes into the team and plays out of position, they’ll do their job too."
NRL ROUND 21
Sunday: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium, 4.10pm. TV: Live on Nine and Fox League.
Raiders squad: 1. Nick Cotric, 2. Brad Abbey, 3. Blake Austin, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Aidan Sezer, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Iosia Soliola, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Josh Papalii. Interchange: 14. Dunamis Lui, 15. Shannon Boyd, 16. Siliva Havili, 17. Luke Bateman, 18. Liam Knight, 19. Jack Murchie, 20. Makahesi Makatoa, 21. Emre Guler.
Panthers squad: 1. Tyrone Peachey, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. James Maloney (c), 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. James Tamou, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Jack Hetherington, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera, 18. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 19. Kaide Ellis, 20. Christian Crichton, 21. Wayde Egan.
