The Canberra Raiders will sweat on a New Zealand Warriors win to save their NRL finals hopes on Sunday, back-rower Josh Papalii conceding it's "pretty frustrating" to have no say on a play-off dream.
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The Raiders' last-minute charge was dealt a major blow on Friday night when the North Queensland Cowboys beat the Wests Tigers, leaving a Warriors win against Manly as Canberra's only finals hope.
The Raiders have temporarily moved to ninth on the ladder but need two results to go their way on Sunday.
The first is the unpredictable Warriors beating a stuttering Manly side. If that comes off, the Raiders will join the Penrith bandwagon for their clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Raiders will be just one win outside of the top eight if the Warriors and Panthers win, keeping Canberra's faint play-off goal alive for the last round of the regular season.
The Raiders beat the Newcastle Knights 46-28 in their last home game on Friday night, but they still sit one win behind the eighth-placed Manly.
"It's just pretty frustrating that we've got to rely on other teams to lose a few games," Papalii said.
"It is what it is, we've just got to move on pretty quickly and hopefully get a win down in Melbourne. The boys look forward to playing against Melbourne.
"It'll be a tough game. Hopefully our forwards can turn up and do what they did [against Newcastle]. In saying that, Melbourne is sitting on top of the ladder and we're trying to fight for a top eight spot."
Raiders prop Junior Paulo was left with "mixed emotions" following Canberra's win over Newcastle that saw them live to fight for at least another day.
Paulo says the Raiders are starting to remember what they're capable of but they could be left to lament a disappointing season where they've let a host of close games slip.
The Raiders have lost eight games by six points or less this season and the outcome of a clash with the minor premiers in Melbourne could decide their finals fate.
"We're disappointed in the way we performed last week but to dish out what we did [against Newcastle], it really shows what we're capable of," Paulo said.
"That's a disappointing thing, we had to turn up and get a win last week. It takes nothing away from what we've done [against the Knights] and it really shows what we're really capable of.
"Depending on results and how we go, it's a must-win down in Melbourne next week. We'll take it day by day and we'll see if everyone gets up to scratch by Saturday."
Some Raiders players hung around in the change rooms to cheer on the Wests Tigers in their game against the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night.
Paulo isn't one to sit down and watch every game every week but Canberra's predicament means even he will be tuning in to learn the Raiders' fate on Sunday.
"Half the team will be watching the games and some will be trying to get away from football," Paulo said.
"We need to refresh and get ourselves right come Monday. It's a big week ahead and obviously a big task coming up against Melbourne.
"We know what they're capable of and they're at the position they are because of who they are as well, and what they do.
"I try and just focus on my personal game. I'm not one to really watch what other teams are doing, but obviously with the position we're in it's definitely a big task for us.
"Hopefully we refresh over the weekend, spend some time with family, and I'm sure we'll come back on Monday and be raring to go by Saturday."
