A hush fell over a usually bustling Lonsdale Street on Monday morning as the city slept in on the public holiday.
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But just one block over stands the Canberra Raiders' multi-million dollar headquarters, where a hurting team assembled early in the hope of reigniting their NRL campaign.
The Raiders returned to their Braddon base on Monday morning amid a short turnaround for their clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday night.
Ricky Stuart's troops were slated to be in on Monday, off on Tuesday, and back at training on Wednesday before fronting up against the rampaging Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium.
Josh Papalii, Corey Horsburgh and George Williams all fronted the media to kick off the week, and all three used the phrase "back on the horse".
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It's a by-product of three consecutive losses, but a five-day turnaround between games is one Williams hopes can reignite Canberra's season after they coughed up an 18-point lead against North Queensland in Townsville.
"That's the perfect scenario after three bad losses, we're straight back on the horse. We can't dwell too much on those games, we've got a big game ahead of us. Souths are on fire," Williams said.
"They're really good with the ball, their shapes are really good attacking-wise. We didn't score in the second half and that's something we need to address, but that comes with momentum and where you complete our sets.
"We had the ball in our own half all game, so it's hard to get some attacking sets on their line. As disappointing as it is, we've got to be excited to move forward.
"Momentum is massive in the game now at the moment. I dropped the ball [against the Cowboys], they scored, and the momentum was with them for the rest of the game. I beat myself up about that.
"There is plenty of areas more individuals would be angry with and upset with. As a team we've just got to stick together now.
"Three in a row is never nice, but the good thing is we've got a short turnaround and we can get straight back on the horse."
Canberra have managed to hold onto their place in the top eight after the opening seven rounds of the season, but they are among six clubs locked on six competition points, and a primetime battle against Wayne Bennett's Rabbitohs looms as a tall order.
"As disappointing as it is, we're not a million miles away. There are signs there that we are still a good team. We'll maintain that going forward," Williams said.
NRL ROUND EIGHT
Thursday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm. Tickets from Ticketek. Broadcast: Live on Channel Nine and Fox League.