They're the forgotten halves of the Canberra Raiders, but Mitch Cornish and Josh McCrone are focused on stating their case for a recall through the NSW Cup.
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McCrone was named man of the match while Cornish had another steady performance in the No.7 jersey for Mounties in their 30-24 win against the Newtown Jets on Saturday.
It was a surprise both of them were involved in the Canberra Stadium curtain-raiser, with either McCrone or Cornish the favourites to replace the injured Sam Williams.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart preferred instead to move fullback Jack Wighton into the halves to partner Blake Austin to take on the Cronulla Sharks.
Cornish started the season as the first-choice halfback for the Raiders, but has only played in six games, his most recent appearance coming in the round 11 loss to the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the experienced McCrone has only added three NRL games this season to his 132 for the Raiders and hasn't been sighted in the top grade since round three.
Cornish thought he might have been a chance to come into the Raiders when Williams got injured.
"I thought I might have been, but I know Sticky doesn't like changing the side around too much," Cornish said.
"Jacko's been there before so he slips straight in.
"If he came to me and said I was playing then I would have been ready."
Cornish is off contract at the end of the season and he's been linked to the Titans and Manly.
He's unlikely to be offered a new deal in Canberra, with Williams and Austin to be joined by Titans recruit Aidan Sezer next year.
"To be honest, I let my manager do that," Cornish said.
"If I start to think about it too much I start stressing and my footy goes downhill.
"I just concentrate on what I can do and he'll look after the rest."
McCrone has another year to run on his contract with the Raiders.
"He's starting to hit a bit of form," Cornish said of McCrone.
"He's loving his footy at the moment and you can tell."
