And the unflappable English import is itching to lace up the boots after being rested in Saturday's final-round win over the Sharks - just the second game he's missed in five seasons as a Raider.

Whitehead slots back into the back row alongside John Bateman who was also rested last weekend.

Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine come back into the pack, while recently re-signed hooker Tom Starling will run out in the number nine jersey once more after orchestrating Saturday's 38-28 win over a depleted Cronulla.

Halves George Williams and Jack Wighton replace Sam Williams and Matt Frawley, while captain Jarrod Croker and veteran Jordan Rapana return in the centres.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad comes back in at fullback to round out the reshuffle as the Raiders eye another deep finals run. Should the down Cronulla they'll play the loser of minor premiers Penrith and the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters

But Whitehead is refusing to look that far ahead with memories of the club's last finals appearance against Cronulla, a home qualifying final defeat in 2016, still fresh in his mind.

"I give a penalty away and they kicked a goal," Whitehead recalls.

That penalty goal gave the Sharks a two-point buffer late in the game, and spring boarded them to a maiden premiership.

Whitehead was wary of another ambush.

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"They've got some quality players, Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, we're going to have to be on," Whitehead said.

"We know the young kids did a good job this weekend but I'm sure it's going to be a totally different game. We'll be ready for that.

"They've got a good record down here. For us personally, we just need to really concentrate on our game and in my heart I believe that we'll do that, and we'll get the win that we need to move on to the next round."

The hard luck story out of Saturday's win was fellow Englishman Ryan Sutton, who has been one of Stuart's unsung heroes over the second half of this season.

He's facing a season-ending stint on the sideline after damaging his medial ligament, an injury which usually comes with a six-to-eight week recovery period.

"I just saw him this morning, he's very disappointed," Whitehead said.

"He's been a massive part of our pack this year especially with some of the boys being injured, he's really stepped up."

Cronulla boasts a returning troop of its own this weekend, led by halfback Chad Townsend who is back from a three-week suspension for his shoulder charge on Kalyn Ponga.

Blayke Brailey, Josh Dugan, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa, Toby Rudolf and Siosifa Talakai also return.

"We're probably ahead of where we were last year," Bateman said.

"We know where we are as a team and we know what we need to do as a team to win those big games. Having that year experience last year has helped massively going into this one.

"Everyone said that Roosters couldn't do it twice in a row last year and they ended up going to do it. Why can't we do it? We've got very much confidence in ourselves and we know what our game's about if we go out and perform to our best."

CANBERRA RAIDERS V CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS, NRL ELIMINATION FINAL

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 5.40PM, CANBERRA STADIUM

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