The Canberra Raiders boast four Englishmen in their ranks, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs have three - all from the the same family.

Throw in England coach Wayne Bennett doubling as Souths' mentor, combine that with his rivalry with Raiders boss Ricky Stuart and things are set to get completely Barmy in the first preliminary final in the ACT.

Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman have all starred in the Green Machine's drive to be within touching distance of ending a 25-year grand final drought, while Ryan Sutton is looking to force his way back into Stuart's side after missing out on the qualifying final win over Melbourne.

The Rabbitohs boast three brothers Burgess - Sam, Thomas and George - as well as Bennett.

It adds up to 124 English Tests descending on Canberra Stadium.

As the Rabbitohs captain, Sam's the driving force behind the visitors - when he's not suspended - while Hodgson is the Raiders' heartbeat.

Everything begins with the Canberra hooker, while the second row of Whitehead and Bateman is arguably the best in the NRL.

Whitehead will play his 100^th NRL game in the prelim.

Future NRL Immortal Johnathan Thurston has loved watching Stuart's Barmy Army in action and he's backed the back-row duo to wreak some havoc.

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"They've been outstanding. Hodgson's been here a few years, but Whitehead and Bateman," Thurston said.

"I didn't really know too much about Bateman until he got here. He's had an outstanding year and doesn't look out of place.

"If those two boys in the back row really stand up they can cause some trouble."

Bateman's been a revelation in his first NRL season.

So much so he's in the running to be the Dally M second rower of the year.

Hodgson's also in the hunt to be hooker of the year.

Bateman won two Super League titles with Wigan before moving to Canberra and he's planning to bring family out if they make it to the grand final.

"I think my brother and my grandmother are going to come out closer to the final, and my daughter [Millie] is going to try to come out as well, but with school it's a bit harder," he said.

"I'm going to try to get her out here. One of my mates messaged me the other day saying if we get to the final he'll be over.

"I'll probably have a few members from Bradford over so it'll be good. They're looking forward to seeing us go well in the finals."

Similarly, Sutton's family could also come out for the decider, which will be at ANZ Stadium on October 6.

As revealed by The Canberra Times, both Sutton and Whitehead recently re-signed to keep them in lime green until at least the end of 2022.

"This is my extended family now. I've left everyone back home and I'm here on my own," Sutton said.

"I'm just happy we've got a few English boys here, which always helps, a few familiar voices.

"It's just the camaraderie we've got in the team that's the factor that made we want to stay here."

NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL

Friday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm. Tickets on sale Monday (members) and Tuesday (general public).