NRL: Canberra Raiders' Jordan Rapana can receive just a fine from match review committee

He cheekily pointed to legendary fullback Billy Slater, who retired as a 35-year-old, and then pointed out there weren't many fullbacks running around in the NRL at his age.

There's none, to be precise, with Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco, 30, the only other custodian in their 30s at the weekend.

The average age for fullbacks is 26, making Rapana the exception to the rule.

He joked earlier in the season he was too old to cope with the running required in the No.1 jersey - a sentiment he still shares with himself.

"I still stick by that. There aren't any 34-year-olds that are still playing fullback in the game, are there?" Rapana said.

"Even Billy Slater retired at [35]. I'm probably surprising myself at the moment, but it's a lot better playing fullback towards the back end of the season when you're match-fit rather than at the start of the season.

"I definitely feel my match fitness is where I want it to be. My weight's good and I'm still enjoying it."

In a massive boost for the Canberra Raiders' hopes of hosting a home semi-final, Rapana is free to play the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

He starred in the Green Machine's 36-24 win over Canterbury on Sunday, scoring a try, setting up three others and being his usual Energizer Bunny self.

But he also came under scrutiny for a couple of incidents where his knees caught Bulldogs winger Blake Wilson when he scored a try and second-rower Viliame Kikau in general play.

But the match review committee only charged Rapana for the Kikau incident in the 34^th minute.

If he takes the early guilty plea, Rapana can escape with a $3000 fine for grade one dangerous contact.

If he fights it and loses he faces a two-match suspension.

It's safe to say Raiders coach Ricky Stuart won't be allowing Rapana to engage in any of those Ryan Matterson-esque shenanigans of taking the suspension so he can buy himself something nice for Christmas.

Rapana was excellent in the custodian role against the Bulldogs and having him available to face the second-placed Broncos at Canberra Stadium will be a massive boost for the Green Machine.

They're currently without Sebastian Kris (hamstring), while Xavier Savage played his first game back from a hamstring injury on the weekend.

Winger Albert Hopoate has a rib cartilage injury that will be assessed before deciding whether he'll play the Broncos, which could open the door for either James Schiller or Savage to play on the left.

The Raiders have all but sewn up a semi-final berth by beating the Bulldogs, but are still confident of locking up a home final.

A win against the Broncos, who will be without star halfback Adam Reynolds (calf), would help make that happen.

Stuart felt there wasn't a lot Rapana could do with either incidents - a sentiment shared by the New Zealand international.

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"Honestly, the one on Kikau, I can't disappear. The other one was fine, the try. He was trying to get closer to the posts," Rapana said.

"He should've just put it down. He's obviously tried to get closer, I can't disappear and it was my hip that he ran into. I can't just disappear.

"The Kikau one, he dropped down and I just had to react. My knees aren't as limber as they were. Whatever happens, happens."

NRL ROUND 26

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.

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