But the Canberra Raiders hooker hopes it doesn't end there.

Starling has made the No.9 jersey his own going into the Raiders' semi-final against the Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Friday night.

And it was on that ground when he announced Canberra would be able to cope without Josh Hodgson (knee) - something not many people thought they could do.

But since that round 10 clash in July, Starling and Siliva Havili have covered Hodgson's absence and been a large reason for the Raiders still being in the premiership race.

Starling has been named to start against the Roosters in the do-or-die NRL final, but he came off the bench the last time he was at the SCG.

It's been a massive change in fortunes for the 22-year-old, who thought he might only play one NSW Cup for the Mounties all year when the COVID-19 virus shut down the NRL in March.

"When the coronavirus hit and we all broke off into that break and came back and there was no reserve grade it did take a toll on me, [I was] thinking. 'I need to be playing footy'," Starling said.

"That's my life, I live and breathe it. To only be able to have one game this year it was eating away at me.

"Probably just training for the rest of the year - you don't account for injuries.

"When Hodgo went down I was shattered for him. He's such a good fellow, good player and it's a horrible injury.

"I just had to take my opportunity and step up for the team. They needed someone to step up into that role.

"I've taken my own spin on it, the dummy half role, me and Liva. And a few of the boys around us have stepped up for sure.

"It's been an up-and-down year, obviously on the way up now.

"Hopefully it doesn't end here at the SCG. It started there this year, but hopefully doesn't end there this weekend."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Starling never gave up on his NRL dream, despite Newcastle releasing him at the end of 2018 with just one Knights game under his belt.

He was set to play in the Queensland Cup before his good mate Hudson Young reached out to see what he was up to.

The Raiders were looking for a back-up hooker to complement Hodgson and Havili.

Next minute the shortest player in the NRL was on his way to Canberra.

He played three games last year and has played 12 straight this season, including his first NRL final in the Raiders' win over the Cronulla Sharks last weekend.

It's earned him a two-year contract extension with the Green Machine and he's established himself as an NRL hooker.

"I've always been confident I can do it. There's been a lot of things said throughout my career that I probably wouldn't be able to handle it week-in, week-out," Starling said.

"It's only my first year of week-in, week-out in first grade. I've still got a lot to prove.

"I know within myself I can do it. I've just got to keep adding on to my game now. There's heaps of things I can still be improving in my game.

"Looking to rip into this semi-finals campaign and hopefully we can go one step better than last year."

NRL SEMI-FINAL

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at the SCG, 7.50pm.

Raiders squad: 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. Sia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Matt Timoko 20. Kai O'Donnell 21. Michael Oldfield.

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. Angus Crichton 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14. Lindsay Collins 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Mitchell Aubusson 17. Sonny Bill Williams. Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher 19. Daniel Fifita 20. Matt Ikuvalu 21. Lachlan Lam.