Fresh off the "best feeling of his life" making his NRL debut, Timoko has been named on an extended bench to face the Roosters at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

While Curtis Scott has been cleared of a broken leg, Timoko could still be called on if the pain hasn't receded come game day.

Scott was unable to finish the game in the Raiders' win over Canterbury, which brought Timoko on for his debut.

The 20-year-old New Zealander ran hard and tackled hard, getting two tackle busts in the the 35 minutes he was one the field.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart named Scott in the starting side on Tuesday, with how he pulls up to decide whether he runs out in the grand final rematch.

Both Timoko and Semi Valemei are possibilities to come into the starting 13 if Scott's ruled out.

Corey Harawira-Naera returns to the 17 after he was ineligible to play the Bulldogs as part of criteria surrounding his mid-season switch from Belmore.

He could find himself going head-to-head with Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams, who was named on the Roosters bench for his NRL return.

The Roosters also bring back Luke Keary (ribs) and have named Mitchell Aubusson (wrist) and Angus Crichton (knee) on the extended bench.

A Raiders win could see them climb to third, leap-frogging the fourth-placed Roosters.

"It's exciting, I'm ready for the challenge. Even if I'm not picked, I'll still bring energy if I'm on the reserves, if I'm back on the bench again," Timoko said.

"If I was to get a spot I'd just give it 110 per cent, these things only happen once.

"There's no do overs, especially against a side like the Roosters, they're going really well. I'm looking forward to the challenge if I get put in for the game."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman decided on Tuesday a crowd of 3000 will be allowed at Canberra Stadium again this weekend.

The Raiders had hoped for the maximum of 6500 - 25 per cent of capacity - but were happy with whatever they got.

It's hoped that's what the capacity could reach in the lead up to the NRL finals and the ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby AU grand final.

Coleman indicated this weekend will be a practice run for exactly that.

"The chief health officer has reviewed last weekend's events at [Canberra] Stadium and has indicated that she is comfortable with providing an exemption from the current gathering restrictions to allow the stadium to once again host 3000 spectators for the Canberra Raiders match this Saturday night," an ACT government spokesperson said.

"Exemption requests for events at [Canberra] Stadium are considered in line with the public health situation at the time, as well as taking into consideration learnings taken from each event that has already taken place.

"Hosting 3000 spectators on Saturday night provides an opportunity to lock in safety measures to enable consideration to be given to a larger gathering in the future."

Timoko has had the support of his mother, who came across from Auckland with him as a teenager so he could pursue his rugby league career.

She's obviously raised an eagle-eyed young man - it didn't take Timoko long to spot the hidden camera when Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker was telling him he was set to make his debut last week.

He was especially excited to hear it from the Raiders record-breaking machine.

"Honestly it was probably the best feeling of my life, just getting out with a bunch of boys that I've looked up to since I got here, it was an amazing feeling," Timoko said.

"I was just so excited to get out there and fulfill a childhood dream, it was crazy.

"I came across with my Mum [from Auckland]. Honestly she's my backbone. I wouldn't have been able to move over without her.

"She decided to come over and make the trip with me, it's just been an amazing experience.

"I came over after playing a year of rugby for first 15 back home. I'm lost for words again."

NRL ROUND 17

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

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Jordan Rapana, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Ryan Sutton, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Matt Timoko, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Semi Valemei.

Roosters squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Sonny Bill Williams. Reserves: 18. Angus Crichton, 19. Mitchell Aubusson, 20. Poasa Faamausili, 21. Drew Hutchison.