He's expecting George Williams to be back, but half Matt Frawley is also expecting he'll get the opportunity to make his Canberra Raiders debut this season.
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Frawley arrived in Canberra on a development contract, but he's already been upgraded to a two-year deal in the Raiders top 30.
The Canberra product has played 31 NRL games, but they've all been for the Canterbury Bulldogs after starting his career with the Green Machine.
He's returned to his place of birth after a one-year stint with the Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League, as part of Aidan Sezer's switch the other way.
It hasn't taken the 25-year-old long to impress Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, forcing his way up to a full contract.
He'll now battle with Williams, Jack Wighton and Sam Williams in the halves pecking order ahead of the Raiders' round-one clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on March 13.
Williams has been struggling with a quadriceps injury during the pre-season, but he's expected to not only be fit for the Titans, but also the Raiders' pre-season trial against the Bulldogs in Port Macquarie.
Frawley still expects to get chances to pull on the lime green.
Like when Wighton likely goes into State of Origin camp for the NSW Blues. Or if other injuries rear their ugly heads.
"[Williams] has had a bit of a quad strain, but I think he'll be sweet in the next couple of weeks," Frawley said.
"I spose it means we get a few more reps in at training when he's out, but I'm sure he'll come back and he'll be fine. He's a quality player, George.
"You wanna play NRL week-in, week-out. It's definitely a goal of mine. There's obviously some quality players in Sammy, George and Jack's obviously got that spot cemented.
"Jack will probably be playing Origin at some stage and you never know with injuries and opportunities so I've just got to make sure I keep training hard and when an opportunity comes up I'm going to be ready for it."
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Frawley always felt he was a chance to force his way into the Raiders' top 30 if he put in a good pre-season.
That's already been rewarded with a two-year deal - four weeks before the start of the NRL campaign.
If Williams is unable to take his spot alongside Wighton in the halves, then Frawley and Sam Williams could find themselves in the 13 against the Gold Coast.
"Signed the upgrade during the week and extended as well until the end of next year, which is really good," Frawley said.
"I'm really happy to be home and back in Canberra.
"That was always the goal - to have a good pre-season after I signed the development contract - the goal of mine was to get in that top 30."
Frawley made the trip to Perth as part of a young Raiders' NRL Nines squad.
He was considered one of the experienced Canberra players and pulled the playmaking strings with Sam Williams.
Some of those young guns impressed, with both Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Timoko getting their names on the scoresheet.
Frawley was also happy with the efforts of some of the inexperienced forwards as well.
"I thought Matty was really good. He showed he's pretty dangerous when you get him some ball one on one," he said.
"I think all the boys did well. The boys in the middle did a good job - Darby [Medlyn], [Jack Murchie] and them boys as well.
"We didn't get a win on the weekend, but the experience is going to be really valuable leading into the season."