It's why the Raiders back-up hooker was able to get through 48 straight minutes despite having not played in four months.

Before being part of the Raiders' gutsy 24-20 victory over the Sydney Roosters, Starling's last game was for the Mounties in the NSW Cup on March 15 - back before the second-tier competition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It's meant Starling and the other squad players outside the Raiders 17 have had to use training and the occasional scrimmage to not only keep fit, but push their cause for selection.

Injuries have helped Starling in pushing that cause, coming in after Josh Hodgson suffered a season-ending knee injury.

He'll now tag-team with Siliva Havili in the hooking duties, with the pair both playing so well in the Roosters win Raiders coach Ricky Stuart had both of them on the field in the second half.

Starling revealed how hard he'd been pushed to ensure he was ready when the time came.

So fit has the 22-year-old kept himself that despite the NRL having a two-month lockdown his DEXA scan results were the best they've even been.

DEXA scans show body fat levels and muscle mass. In other words, he's the most ripped he's ever been.

"Ricky spoke to the fringe players at the start of the year saying we're going to need you at one stage this year so keep ready," Starling said.

"Obviously without reserve grade it's a bit harder. We've got a really good squad down there, we're all working hard.

"Our strength and conditioning coaches are flogging us. It's not easy. 'Sticky' told us we're going to need to step up at some stage of the season.

"Obviously there's a big injury toll and it's drawing on a lot of our extended squad. We kept talking about staying ready.

"We'll get our opportunity and once that comes we have to take it with both hands."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Starling revealed Raiders big bopper Josh Papalii had been an inspiration in the young hooker's first NRL game in more than a year.

Papalii scored the match winner against the Roosters, having put in a mammoth effort before that.

The shortest player in the NRL - at 170 centimetres - said having one of the premier props in the NRL standing alongside him put him at ease.

"He always shows up for us. He's very inspirational out on the field. He's always working hard, he's always talking to you. I feel very comfortable with him by your side," Starling said.

Starling said both he and Havili would continue to build their combinations with the players around them with the view to being at their peak come finals time.

The Raiders had been written off due to their mounting injury toll - and especially the loss of Hodgson - but Starling made it clear that wasn't the case within the Canberra camp.

"It's early on in the season, hitting halfway now, but we've got a lot of time to build and keep moving forward," he said.

"It wasn't a perfect game by any means. We've still got a lot to work on. We'll be back in on Monday working hard for next week.

"Sticky talked about building towards semi-finals and taking it week by week.

"A new spine with me and 'Liva' jumping in now in the hooker role, just keep working with our halves and build combinations."

NRL ROUND 11

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.