The Raiders are playing for their second top-four finish in 16 years on Sunday when they face Cronulla at a sold-out Shark Park for Gallen's final home game after 19 seasons.

Stuart has coached Gallen at club, state and international level after spending four years together at Cronulla, two State of Origin series for NSW and three years in Australia camp.

Stuart pointed to Gallen's professional boxing record (9-0) to describe the "inspirational" footballer.

"It's not news that I'm good mates with Gal and I'm very proud of what he's achieved, he's had a marvellous career and I just hope he doesn't win this one," Stuart said.

"His career has all developed through hard work. He's one of the hardest trainers I've coached. He never takes "no" well.

"He's a guy who is an inspiration to all his other players in the way he drives himself and fights for what he wants.

"He has a lot of desire, Paul. He's a guy that when he has his mind set on something (he does it). You can see it in his boxing, when he fights and has got his mind set on something, he's very hard to hold back.

"I haven't messaged him this week but he knows I'm always in his corner."

The clash against the Shark marks the Raiders' fourth straight game against top-eight opposition. They beat NRL leaders Melbourne but lost to the Sydney Roosters and Manly.

The Sea Eagles brought Canberra undone by slowing down the ruck and Stuart said he was expecting another gritty affair against Cronulla.

"We've had a lot of big occasions over the past month and handled that quite well," Stuart said.

"We're playing OK football, there are areas of our game that need to be better from last week ... I just want to come out of this game happy with how we're playing.

"It's important these next two weeks we finish the season off in really good form and playing well. Obviously it's important to win but we've got to be playing good football."

Australian Associated Press