So says Tuggeranong coach Jarrad Teka, because quite simply "he's invaluable, that bloke".

The Bushrangers maintained their place atop the Canberra Raiders Cup ladder with a 26-6 win over the Gungahlin Bulls at Greenway Oval on Saturday.

It could have been a vastly different story if not for the 30-year-old veteran of 51 NRL games.

"We haven't quite hit our straps yet in terms of what we can potentially do with the ball and it's affecting his attacking game. But the stuff he does off the ball and in defence, it really lifts the blokes," Teka said.

"JK stood up and put an end to a roll on from the Bulls that could have gone another way. They could have got their tails up and got a few points on us but JK put an end to that. It's good having him around.

"The best thing with us is we probably haven't hit our straps yet. We've got a lot to work on within our club but we are getting wins at the moment so obviously that's a positive."

That work is designed to take the Bushrangers to the summit - a place they have never been, a place they came so close to in last year's grand final.

And the work may have just become a little more difficult with the Bushrangers bracing for a grand final rematch against Woden Valley next week with a host of key players missing.

Wezley Alexander is battling to overcome patellar tendonitis, Matt Dragisic left the field against Gungahlin with a rib cartliage injury and front-rower Daniel Hickson was gone in a flash.

"He's not real certain what he's done, but he wasn't running too well and left the field after 15 minutes," Teka said.

"We've got a few injury concerns coming into next week but we'll monitor that during that week. We're looking like having three from today out for next week."

Hickson's absence left fellow prop forward Jayden Thomas to shoulder a heavier workload. His response in Teka's eyes was "outstanding".

Then of course there was the class of Drury Low at the back. Combine that with the ability of Michael Brophy at halfback and Josh Mitchell at hooker, and there is clearly no shortage of talent in Tuggeranong.

That much seems clear with a simple glance at the competition ladder - they stand unbeaten after four games, one point clear at the top.

But anyone thinking the Bushrangers are edging closer to the summit can expect a sobering message from Teka - "it's been good so far but there's a long way to go".

Then perhaps it was fitting that the side snapping at Tuggeranong's heels on the competition ladder sent a timely reminder of what they too are capable of.

The Queanbeyan Blues continued their unbeaten start with a 60-12 demolition of the Yass Magpies at Seiffert Oval.

AT A GLANCE

Canberra Raiders Cup round five:

QUEANBEYAN BLUES 60 (J Monaghan, J Hitchins, J Munroe, A Woods, Jordan Williams, T Campese, M Cole, Jack Williams, J Stuckey tries; T Campese 10 goals) bt YASS MAGPIES 10 (A Tupou, M Turner tries; S Davis goal)

WODEN VALLEY RAMS 24 (C Ellis 2, C Malisauskas, A Vivili tries; H Van Dartel 4 goals) bt QUEANBEYAN KANGAROOS 22 (G Afemui, K Pagura, J Simbiken, J Ulrick, T Williams tries; J Ulrick goal)

TUGGERANONG BUSHRANGERS 26 (C Massen, J Pollard, J Thomas, J Baker, T Eldridge tries; J Mitchell 3 goals) bt GUNGAHLIN BULLS 6 (scorers not provided)

GOULBURN BULLDOGS 60 (M Atkinson 2, M Cornish 2, C Hart, H Hodge, D Rota, S Cummins, I Tittor, L Tauoqooqu, T Greenwood tries; C Hart 8 goals) bt BELCONNEN UNITED SHARKS 20 (T Aroha-Tuinauvai, M Butz, J Vejvoda, I Mataora tries; K Shepherdson 2 goals)