It's meant they've been unable to hold onto leads this season and seen them drop seven of their past eight games and start to lose touch with the top eight.

They led the Sydney Roosters 10-0 before giving up 28 unanswered points and losing control of the game.

It was the same against the Melbourne Storm last week, where they also led 10-0 before giving up 34 unanswered points.

Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson admitted there was a sense of history repeating.

"It's tough in terms of what to say in the sheds because it seems like we're saying the same thing most weeks," he told Fox Sports after the game.

"We're starting the games well and then after we make some errors we're not being resilient enough on our own line.

"We need to turn it around pretty quick."

The Raiders were hoping to honour co-captain Elliott Whitehead's 300^th senior game.

It was the durable and versatile Englishman's 135^th NRL game, on top of the 165 games he played in the English Super League before coming to Canberra to join the Green Machine.

He's played almost everywhere for the Raiders - prop, lock, second row, five-eighth and centre - with his utility value making him Mr Fix It for coach Ricky Stuart.

His leadership has also been called upon this season with Hodgson stepping down from the co-captaincy and Jarrod Croker struggling with injury.

Hodgson raised a few eyebrows when he came out in defence of fellow Englishman George Williams after the Raiders released the homesick halfback during the week.

Some thought it meant he was having a dig at the club, but he put the record straight on Saturday night.

He also revealed his family have come out from England and will be getting out of quarantine before visiting his young family.

Hodgson looked sharp out of dummy half in his return to the starting line-up, scoring a try and setting up another.

"I was just trying to look after my mate and protecting my mate," he said.

"The headlines made it sound like I was having a dig at the club. Not a chance, I love this club.

"This club's given me a home away from my own place. I was just trying to defend a mate and that's what we're all about down in Canberra.

"We defend each other to the hilt, especially in these tough times.

"You find out who your true friends are when you're going through the tough times.

"We've just got to keep coming out swinging."

The Raiders have the week off and will be hoping it helps them reset and put a tough two months behind them.

They've lost seven of their past eight games and were at risk of losing touch with the top eight.

But they have fellow-strugglers Brisbane at Canberra Stadium after the State of Origin opener and will be hoping for a frosty reception for the Broncos to help get their season rolling again.

Their struggles will be reflected when Origin teams are named for NSW and Queensland on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Jack Wighton looks set to be the only Raider picked for the State of Origin opener with Josh Papalii suspended.

He was touted as the favourite to play five-eighth for the Blues, but could also play in the centres or fill the utility role on the bench.

Dunamis Lui was part of the Maroons set-up last year, but he's been in and out of the Raiders team so far this season.

Corey Horsburgh was mentioned as an option in the middle for the Queenslanders, but a dislocated wrist suffered against the Roosters will likely end those chances.