For the first time in recent memory, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has a fully fit NRL squad to choose from.
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With co-captain Jarrod Croker being given the all clear to return against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, Stuart is in the exceedingly rare position of having none of his NRL stars in the rehabilitation room.
It's a far cry from last year when Stuart's injury list was painfully long for the majority of the season, at times including the likes of key men Josh Hodgson, John Bateman, Bailey Simonsson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Sia Soliola, among others.
Of Stuart's NRL squad, only English import Harry Rushton is unavailable for selection this round as he serves a one-match suspension stemming from a crusher tackle in round one of the NSW Cup.
That suspension would have been served last weekend, but the Raiders' match against Parramatta was postponed due to heavy rain.
Corey Harawira-Naera has served his two-match NRL imposed suspension after being charged with drink-driving during the offseason, while Corey Horsburgh is also an option to Stuart after missing round one for the same offence.
Former Canterbury Bulldog Harawira-Naera pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday to a drink-driving charge, and was hit with a $250 fine and three-month driving suspension. That followed a $10,000 fine handed down by the NRL earlier this month.
Horsburgh received a $5000 suspended fine from the NRL earlier this month. Both players will be required to work their way back into Stuart's best 17 via the NSW Cup.
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Stuart's men marched relentlessly to last year's preliminary final despite their wretched run of injuries, and exhausting same-day travel schedule forced upon them by the COVID-19 pandemic.
They face a hungry New Zealand Warriors outfit on Saturday who are unlucky not to still be unbeaten themselves, having conceded late against Newcastle last weekend.
The two sides squared off against each other at Canberra Stadium late last season, but Croker was expecting a much different proposition this time around.
"I don't think anyone will be looking back on video of last year to be honest," Croker said.
"We're looking back at the last couple of weeks and the way the Warriors have started."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
