George Williams' sudden departure from the Raiders has forced the club into finding a replacement number seven in a market not brimming with a huge number of standout candidates.
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Veteran Sam Williams is capable of filling the breach for as long as necessary, but ultimately the club will seek a longer-term solution.
Premiership winner Chad Townsend's name cropped up on Wednesday, after he was dumped from the Sharks by interim coach Josh Hannay despite kicking a winning field goal on the weekend.
A return to Canberra has been mooted for out-of-favour Bronco Anthony Milford, and suggestions his management have already shopped him to the Raiders are believed to be close to the mark.
Veteran playmaker Gareth Widdop has been linked with a return to the NRL from England, and could well prove a left-field possibility.
Here are some options the Raiders could pursue.
Chad Townsend
Dumped by interim Sharks coach Josh Hannay despite kicking the winning field goal in the weekend's win over St George Illawarra, Townsend has emerged as a shock contender to move to the capital.
An integral part of the 2016 Cronulla premiership side, Townsend would provide a calm head and a pinpoint kicking game which would complement the likes of Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson.
The stars could well align on this one, with Hannay's move suggesting Cronulla favours Shaun Johnson over Townsend. But this may only be for this year with Townsend signed to the Cowboys in 2022.
Anthony Milford
The star former Raider helped Brisbane to the 2015 grand final in his first season at the club, but is well and truly on the outer under new Broncos boss Kevin Walters - hence the signing of Adam Reynolds.
His best footy is a distant memory, and the crafty 26-year-old desperately needs a new home to breathe life into his stuttering NRL career.
Club officials and fans alike were disappointed to lose Milford at the end of 2014, at which time he looked to have the rugby league world at his feet.
Perhaps a return to his old stomping ground would re-ignite Milford's caged talent.
Gareth Widdop
Worth some serious thought.
Widdop is playing for Warrington at the moment, a club which is incredibly keen on securing the services of George Williams now ties have been severed with the Raiders.
The 32-year-old Yorkshireman has been out of the NRL for 18 months, but has constantly been linked with a return to Australia.
He'd provide the Raiders with a steady, experienced head and could fill the breach for a few years during which time young gun Brad Schneider could develop.
A stint in Canberra would also allow Widdop to link up with fellow Englishman Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson, Ryan Sutton and Harry Rushton. Watch this space.
Ash Taylor
Once seen as the future of the Gold Coast, Ash Taylor has fallen below Tannah Boyd Jamal Fogarty in the Titans pecking order.
At 26 years of age, Taylor still potentially has his best footy ahead of him, but it's looking more and more likely that will need to come at a different club.
A devastating talent when on top of his game, inconsistency has plagued Taylor and prevented him from taking the next step in his career.
Working in the capital under Ricky Stuart might just be the tonic required to help Taylor rediscover his best form.
Brodie Croft
Another Bronco on the outer, the ex-Melbourne Storm half doesn't seem to be part of Kevin Walters' long-term vision after Adam Reynolds' signing, despite a contract which runs to the end of 2022.
Croft is another player who has shown bucket loads of promise, but just not consistently enough.
Unlikely to be entertained by Canberra.
Shaun Johnson
Has been named to play his 200th NRL match this weekend, but still needs to prove his fitness from a hamstring injury which has contributed to him featuring in just three games this season.
Won the 2014 Golden Boot as the world's best player, but has struggled to find consistent form since moving to the Sharks in 2019.
He comes off contract at the end of this season, and would offer the Raiders a live-wire attacking player which could potentially complement Jack Wighton's unique style.
Well worth consideration.
Corey Norman
In the final season of a three-year stint with the St George Illawarra Dragons, the polarising half could well be on the look out for a new club.
Has played 10 of 11 matches for the Dragons in 2021, and boasts 216 NRL appearances after previous stints with Brisbane and Parramatta.
More than capable on the field, Norman has a habit of attracting unwanted off-field headlines. He was involved in a preseason street fight which cost him $10,000 and a one-match suspension.
Earlier this month he was spotted hanging out with Jarryd Hayne in the lead up to the fallen rugby league star's sentencing earlier this month for two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
It's hard to imagine the Raiders considering Norman.
Blake Austin
The ex-Raider has reportedly fallen out of favour at Warrington, and has been linked with a return to the NRL.
Gold Coast are one possible suitor with the Titans in the market for an experienced half, but are the Raiders about to throw their hat in the ring?
Not likely.
Thirty-year-old Austin was a reliable servant for the Raiders, playing 88 matches in four seasons at the club.
But the general feeling is the former Penrith Panther and Wests Tiger has done his time in the capital, and the club would rather pursue another avenue.
Todd Carney
Raiders fans organised a petition for Carney to play for the Green Machine in the 2020 NRL Nines tournament, a movement that ultimately failed.
In recent seasons Carney has hinted a return to the NRL, but the 34-year-old now lives on the Gold Coast and runs a concreting business, while coaching the Byron Bay Red Devils.
He has also recently become a father.
While there's certainly an element of nostalgia in a potential Carney return to the Raiders, that ship has well and truly sailed.
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.
