The Raiders are likely to finish in fifth irrespective of the result of their final-round match against the Central Coast in Gosford on Saturday.

Under the new finals system, which is being adopted by the NRL, the top four teams automatically receive a second chance, while teams from fifth through to eighth are involved in sudden-death matches every week of the playoffs.

That places extra importance on finishing in the top four, but Raiders coach Peter Marrapodi believed his side had the talent to make a charge from the bottom half of the top eight.

"There's a very slim chance of us making the top four but we're happy to be anywhere in the finals," Marrapodi said.

"It doesn't really bother us too much.

"If we can start playing our best football then we can challenge any team in the competition."

The Raiders cost themselves a chance to finish in the top four with a 36-28 loss to the Penrith Panthers at Windsor last Saturday.

The Raiders burst out of the blocks to lead 18-0 before the Panthers hit their stride.

"We executed everything early on but just couldn't maintain that for the entire game," Marrapodi said.

"It became a bit of an arm-wrestle in the second half."

With that victory, the Panthers leapfrogged the Raiders into the top four.

Hooker Trent Schubach continued his stellar season for the Raiders with a strong performance in the No.9 jersey, while fullback Jono Kent was safe under the high ball and injected himself brilliantly in attack.

The Raiders will be at full strength to face Central Coast and will be looking to establish valuable momentum heading into the finals.

Meanwhile, the club's under-16 side is desperate to round out a disappointing Harold Matthews Cup campaign after a nailbiting draw with the Panthers.

The Raiders led 10-4 at half-time and when they increased the margin to 10 points after the break an upset was on the cards.

But the Panthers hit back twice to level the scores to force a 14-all draw.