IT'S the oldest cliche in the sporting lexicon.
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Along with ''we're taking it one week at a time'', you're sure to hear the phrase ''we want to turn our home ground into a fortress'' at various press conferences during the year. At that point journos turn off the tape recorders.
But it's exactly what the injury-depleted Raiders need to do in their quest to avoid an ''embarrassing'' wooden spoon. Working in their favour is that their final two home fixtures are against teams outside the top eight.
Yet today's match will be no walkover. Back-to-back wins against St George Illawarra and the Parramatta have red-hot South Sydney on a late charge for a finals berth.
Then in a fortnight comes the Raiders' round 25, Canberra Stadium clash with Penrith, who began planning their Mad Monday after their loss to the Wests Tigers on Friday night ended their play-off aspirations.
Trips on the road to face the Gold Coast and Canterbury round out Canberra's disappointing season. The Raiders will give themselves a chance in both games despite their poor road record this season. Wins against the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters have been interspersed by eight defeats.
That makes bringing back the intimidation factor to Canberra Stadium an essential ingredient in fighting off all prospects of ending up with the ''spoon''.
Opposition teams once shuddered at the prospect of an away trip to Canberra. Not this year. The Raiders have won only four of their 10 games at Canberra Stadium.
''We've had some really good games and good patches,'' Raiders prop Dave Shillington said. ''We've got the ability to play some unreal footy as individuals and as a team, but we lack consistency throughout the 80 minutes of the game and week to week.''