Stuart has dropped State of Origin star Josh Papalii for a must-win match against the Canterbury Bulldogs at Canberra Stadium on Thursday night.

Queensland and former Australian second-rower Papalii has been named as No. 21 in Canberra's 21-man squad, paying the price for Canberra's horror opening month with reputations counting for little as Stuart looks to rescue the Raiders.

Both Papalii and Blake Austin have been relegated to the NSW Cup and were named in the Mounties starting side to play against Penrith on Saturday.

It's a massive demotion for Papalii while Austin will be playing for Mounties for the second week in a row. Stuart blasted the Raiders last week, saying the players should be "embarrassed" by their performance against Manly.

Wighton, however, will start at fullback despite pressure on the Green Machine to stand down the 25-year-old after it emerged he is the subject of an ACT Policing investigation.

It is alleged Wighton was involved in a fight outside a Civic nightclub about two weeks before the Raiders played their first game of the season.

The Raiders are in danger of slipping to their worst start to a season since 1982 but Wighton has been one of Canberra's best in a dismal month.

Stuart has long been a believer in Wighton and will likely stick by the fullback in first grade unless the club decides to impose a sanction on the 25-year-old, who could be charged in the next week.

Grand final-winning five-eighth Brett Finch says Canberra's losing streak would have been "frustrating" for an in-form Wighton at the back of a clunky Green Machine.

"I don't know Jack at all but I love the way he plays," said Fox League commentator Finch.

"He's competitive and he is always in the game. He's willing to try things and that's the sort of attitude you want in a player.

"Just hearing Ricky talk about him through the media, he's got a huge rap on him and [says] he's a great young kid.

"It's a tough one there, obviously being a fullback, a lot relies on what's going on in front of you and how well the forwards are going forward and the opportunities that are created off that.

"I'm sure it's been frustrating for him as well."

Austin and Michael Oldfield are the most likely replacements should Wighton be stood down by the club subject to an ongoing police investigation.

The Raiders have been aware of the incident involving Wighton for some time but have been waiting for ACT Police to take action, having refused to comment on the matter when contacted in March.

Papalii's axing comes a week after five-eighth Blake Austin was relegated to the extended bench, with both named for Mounties in the NSW Cup this week.

Stuart was determined to field the same 17 that were belted by Manly-Warringah last weekend to let them atone for a "soft" showing he deemed unworthy of the lime green jumper.

However the Canberra mentor has claimed a second high-profile scalp in as many weeks as he makes a bold statement to his under-performing group.

Liam Knight and Dunamis Lui have both been named in the top 17 ahead of 12-Test veteran Papalii, who has been a mainstay in Canberra's outfit since he made his debut in 2012.

While Papalii could be set for a stint with Mounties in reserve grade, Joe Tapine has been cleared to start in the second-row after overcoming a dislocated thumb and will pack down alongside English international Elliott Whitehead.

Prop Shannon Boyd has shuffled back to the bench with Junior Paulo set to earn his first start of the season, while five-eighth Aidan Sezer and front-rower Sia Soliola were given the all clear.

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay has been forced to leave Aiden Tolman out of his squad due to an ankle injury, with Adam Elliott starting at lock and Kerrod Holland joining the bench.

NRL ROUND FIVE

Thursday: Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm. Tickets available from Ticketek. TV: Live on Fox League and Channel Nine.

Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Aidan Sezer, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Sia Soliola, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Luke Bateman. Interchange: 14. Ata Hingano, 15. Shannon Boyd, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Liam Knight, 18. Jack Murchie, 19. Michael Oldfield, 20. Blake Austin, 21. Josh Papalii

Bulldogs squad: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Jeremy Marshall-King, 7. Kieran Foran, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Josh Jackson (c), 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14. Fa'amanu Brown, 15. Danny Fualalo, 16. Francis Tualalo, 17. Kerrod Holland, 18. Greg Eastwood, 19. Asipeli Fine, 20. John Olive, 21. Rhyse Martin