Backs-to-the-wall Canberra Raiders set Melbourne Storm ambush

Remember the Sydney Roosters at the SCG in 2020? There was a similar smell in the air for that Canberra Raiders game as well.

And we all know what happened next. An undermanned and dismissed Green Machine came away 24-20 victors.

On the flipside of that, this is the Melbourne Storm. A Storm that's looking to roll into their 18^th consecutive victory, which would be the second longest winning streak in NRL history behind just the 19 set by the 1975 Roosters.

They've won their past three against the Raiders - although Canberra won the three before that, starting with two upset wins in Melbourne on their way to the 2019 grand final.

Stuart said they weren't intimidated by a Storm side that's a game clear on top of the ladder and favourites to make it back-to-back premierships.

He'll be using that siege mentality to inspire his players to prove the doubters wrong.

"I want to win. Nobody else thinks we're going to. I love these types of games when no one thinks you're going to win," Stuart said.

"They've all written you off and they've got their headlines and the stories written before the game.

"Those type of games are easy to prepare for."

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The Raiders are eighth on the NRL ladder, but are only points differential ahead of the ninth-placed Newcastle Knights - who have an easy final four games.

It's a different story for the Green Machine who face tough games against Manly and the Roosters over the closing rounds.

Stuart said he wasn't worried about the draw and had only one thing on his mind.

"No I haven't [done the calculations] to be honest. It's not concerning me because we can do all the calculations in the world, but if you're not winning games it's pretty easy to add up," he said.

"It's just important for us to not worry about anyone else, but making sure we're trying to win as many games as possible going into the back end of the season to make the play-offs."

He said the Sea Eagles' 28-18 loss against Melbourne last weekend hadn't provided him with a blueprint.

The Raiders were a different team and played their own way.

Stuart said it was a simple solution of what to do against a side powered by halfback Jahrome Hughes and fullback Nicho Hynes, that's scored more points and tries than anyone else in the competition.

Hughes has 18 try assists and made 19 line breaks this season, while Hynes has 17 try assists and 26 line-break assists to his name.

"You've just got to make your tackles and you've got to be consistent for a long period of time in the game, and you've got to play well," Stuart said.

Stuart confirmed the club has been offered off-contract Gold Coast half Ash Taylor.

But it's believed he's not someone the Raiders were interested in.

While they're discussing their halfback options on a daily basis, they're also not rushing their decision to ensure they bring in the right player.

"Ash has been spoken about to a number of clubs and we were one club his management did speak to," Stuart said.

"We're considering a number of options in regards to seven.

"We're not sitting on our hands, but it's a very big decision for the club in which way we move next and it's something we discuss ... daily."

NRL ROUND 22

Thursday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7.50pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Matt Timoko, 5. Harley Smith-Shields, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Harawira-Naera, 17. Sia Soliola. Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Dunamis Lui, 21. Siliva Havili.

Storm squad: 1. Nicholas Hynes, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Chris Lewis, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reserves: 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Tepai Moeroa, 20. Jordan Grant, 21. Isaac Lumelume.