Composure? That's another thing five-eighth Jack Wighton says "we've never ever really had".

Until this year, that is.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart's decision to keep the footballs locked in the shed for the first two months of pre-season training has instilled a level of discipline and composure under pressure Canberra have rarely shown in recent years.

Canberra's vastly improved defence has lifted them to third on the ladder heading into a clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

But that is just one Stuart gamble which is paying off in a big way as the Raiders launch a late bid to force their way into the top two and host a qualifying final.

The second? Wighton's move to five-eighth - and the 26-year-old says he is hitting the right notes with halfback Aidan Sezer at the perfect time.

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The attacking flair is still there but the Raiders of 2019 are a far more methodical bunch than those football fans have grown accustomed to in the past.

"We've turned it around and we're having that composure that we've never ever really had. A lot of credit to 'Chicken' [Sezer] and his talk," Wighton said.

"That [Melbourne win] was a good one because we've lost so many of them so many times.

"To turn it all around and do all the little things, and actually do what the coach asks of us instead of just playing our game and throwing it out of our arse, that's a credit to us.

"We're hitting short balls and dropping them under like he asks us. It's a bit of discipline we never had.

"It's been a while since we've actually listened and done what he said, the big fella, he'd be blown away."

Wighton finished with a laugh but knows there is still room to improve. He and Joe Tapine were both sin-binned during the opening half of their clash against Melbourne.

Tapine entered an early guilty plea and copped a $1150 fine for his grade one contrary conduct charge, which stemmed from a moment that left the Raiders under a mountain of pressure.

Canberra would fall 18 points behind against the NRL's benchmark team but managed to stay in the hunt and eventually claimed one of the club's finest triumphs in a thrilling victory.

Sezer says it was their newfound composure that guided them to the light at the end of the tunnel.

"It hasn't been one of our strong points over the past few years," Sezer said.

"We make no secret, our defence is the most important thing in the game. You look at all of the most successful teams over the years and they are always the most sound defensive teams.

"We need to step it up and take that upon ourselves and be a good defensive team as well. That's what is going to win you the big games.

"That's what helped us out here as well, if the Melbourne Storm score again we probably lose those two points.

"It's a good feeling and it is definitely going to assist us in the weeks to come, and back at home against Manly."

NRL ROUND 23

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. Tickets from Ticketek.