The Canberra Raiders are set to be boosted by the return of international back-rower Joe Tapine for a date with the reigning premiers on the same day Shannon Boyd could kickstart his farewell tour.
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Tapine is due to return from a two-week ban for dangerous contact while prop Boyd could enter the frame as he tries to overcome a lingering calf injury.
Boyd could miss another week and it is unlikely he would be rushed back for Canberra road trip to face the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night given the Green Machine's finals hopes have flatlined.
The impending return of Tapine could push debutant Jack Murchie out of the squad to tackle the Storm but the young back-rower is hopeful he can hold a spot in coach Ricky Stuart's side.
"I guess we’ll see, there’s some really world class players coming back," Murchie said.
"I guess they’ll definitely be coming back into the team but hopefully I can hang around there and be a chance but we’ll see what happens."
Murchie's debut against Cronulla was shrouded in controversy but he admits he isn't the best person to ask about all of that - the entire experience remains "all a bit of a blur for me".
The 21-year-old's hazy debut marked the next chapter in a career that has taken the Batemans Bay-born prospect from Ulladulla to Gerringong to the bright lights of the NRL.
Murchie won a premiership under Mick Cronin in Gerringong before Raiders recruitment manager Peter Mulholland came calling with an offer to join the Green Machine's ranks.
"It’s hard to put it into words, it was good, I really enjoyed it," Murchie said.
"It was awesome, I was really excited to get on there in that first half and finally got a run in the second half. I was just happy to be out there with the boys and just trying to do my part for the team and I really enjoyed it.
"I really enjoyed my debut and I’m really grateful to do it at such a great club like the Raiders and I loved being out there with the boys, I enjoyed every minute."
Murchie has long been regarded as a player of the future for the Green Machine having re-signed with the club until the end of 2020 before the start of the season.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart told Murchie of his selection at the team meeting before the captain's run on Thursday, with the NRL Hall of Famer backing the second-rower to handle the rigours of the NRL.
A baptism of fire against a rampaging Cronulla pack looms as the perfect welcome for Murchie as he takes his first steps on the road to a long career in the top grade.
The Raiders could receive some more positive news on the injury front with veteran forward Sia Soliola he can overcome a rib complaint to suit up against Melbourne.
"I did them last week and the needles didn’t really help [against the Sharks] so we’ll see how it holds up over the next couple of days but I’m pretty confident it should be alright," Soliola said.
