These were the numbers plastered on a whiteboard when the Wests Tigers rolled into training in the midst of rugby league's latest controversy.

These were the numbers that showed just how dominant the Canberra Raiders had been over the Tigers in recent years.

These were the numbers that sparked a change as the Tigers turned around their horrific recent record with a thrilling 22-20 win over the Raiders in front of 14583 at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The Tigers roared to keep the competition's best attacking side at bay and keep their premiership dream alive - and recent history meant it felt extra sweet for Wests skipper Russell Packer.

"You definitely remember those losses, you always remember your losses and some more than others," Packer said.

"We definitely played like a team, we came together and defended for each other. Those characteristics have defined our season.

"It's always good to get to this point of the season and still have a chance, which we definitely do."

Raiders out of the race

There are perhaps only two words clubs on the edge of finals contention fear more than "mathematically possible", and they are "mathematically impossible".

That's just what Canberra's season has come to as the Green Machine find themselves eight points out of the top eight with just three games remaining.

Canberra's season has been on life support for months with the club clinging on to the faintest of finals hopes - although each week the realisation they won't feature in September has begun to dawn on the squad a little more.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says the start "killed us" after Joey Leilua was sent to the sin-bin, opening the door for Wests to race out to a 16-0 lead.

Aidan Sezer scratched

A recurring hamstring injury has cast doubt over five-eighth Aidan Sezer's campaign after it flared up again to leave the Raiders playmaker to just one game in the past month.

Sezer injured his hamstring during goal kicking practice last month and has played just once game since, which could leave Sam Williams to shoulder the duties from the tee and in play.

It is a frustrating blow for the 27-year-old who was beginning to show glimpses of his brilliant best.

"It is a wait and see, it's a hamstring problem," Stuart said.

"I'm not too fussed with Aidan to be quite honest. Sam [Williams] and Blake [Austin] are doing a job for us. They did everything they possibly could in attack, those boys, but it was that 10-minute period [when Leilua was sin-binned] that was crucial for us."

Tigers brush off the week that was

Tigers coach Ivan Cleary was at the centre of a storm when he emerged as the target in Penrith's shock coaching shake-up, but don't expect him to delve into it anymore than he has.

Cleary lashed talk he had been offered a deal to coach his son Nathan following Anthony Griffin's sudden sacking at the Panthers, but he refused to delve deeper into the "misinformation" surrounding the saga.

He is staying on the bus and now he is charged with steering a Tigers outfit towards the club's fourth finals appearance in history - their record against the competition heavyweights suggest they could cause a few headaches if they get there.

"I never once saw them anything other than completely focussed on their preparation," Cleary said.

"I'm not going to talk about it. I get it, it's a big story. I said my position... I'm not going to talk about it."