Maybe not so much for opposition defensive lines, but for Raiders winger Jordan Rapana as he outlines his desperation to stay with the NRL club.

Canberra's devastating right edge combination of Rapana and Joey Leilua could be edging closer towards their last stand as the Raiders prepare to make their finals return in Melbourne on Saturday.

The top four showdown against the Melbourne Storm could mark the beginning of the end if Rapana weighs up a move to rugby union.

But the 30-year-old says he is keen to stay in Canberra as the club grapples with salary cap constraints in their bid to retain the New Zealand international.

Rapana has been in negotiations with the Panasonic Wild Knights, the Japanese franchise coached by former Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans.

The Raiders have tabled a new deal for Rapana but a grapple with the salary cap means he would be able to earn far more in a code switch.

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Rapana and Leilua have grown close during their time together in Canberra having roomed together wherever they play, shopped for engagement rings together and spent days off on the golf course together.

But is Canberra's finals run their last chance to win a premiership together?

"I hope not, I really do. That's a scary thought, but it's just part of the game," Rapana said.

"I've had an awesome time here, I love it here. It's become my home away from home and I really don't want to go. I want to stay, I honestly do.

"I love the boofhead [Leilua], I love playing with him, he is a freak. He loves playing with me too because I pull him into line all the time.

"I'm looking forward to it, he's my right-hand man. He's a good player, he's good to play with.

"In terms of where I'm at with [my future], I've got a job here. I've been here for six years and I just want to enjoy the footy now.

"Whatever happens, happens. I do want to stay here and I have no intentions of leaving. I've got a big few weeks coming up."

Canberra's ability to find room in the salary cap hinges on a range of moving parts, including on the future of halfback Aidan Sezer with the Raiders set to welcome English playmaker George Williams onto the books next season.

Sezer's contract with the Raiders runs until the end of the 2020 season and the club could struggle to fit both he and Rapana under the cap should the halfback decide to stay.

But the Raiders would have room to move if Sezer took an offer elsewhere, with the recent upgrade and extension of fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad placing more pressure on the cap.

Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton are on the cusp of two-year extensions as Raiders officials try to hold onto the bulk of the roster that has lifted the club into the top four for the second time in 16 years.

Rapana doesn't know where his future lies. If there is one teammate likely to have some idea it would be his inside man - but Leilua says "I don't even know".

"If this is it, I just want to make it special for him and me," Leilua said.

"We've been in a partnership since I got here, and seeing him go would be difficult. We know every single guy on the team will do their best to send him off well.

"I've told him plenty of times [I want him to stay], but he has got to do what's best for him and his family. I understand that.

"This is a short career, so you've got to make sure you do what's best for yourself and your family.

"I know the club is probably fighting a lot to make him stay, but whatever happens, that's the way it goes."

NRL QUALIFYING FINAL

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.40pm.