Canberra insist the race for this year’s NRL top-eight is not over as they set their sights on winning their last four games in a bid to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Raiders’ loss to Penrith on Saturday night left them two points behind the Sydney Roosters in ninth, but also with a far worse for-and-against record than the teams above them.
It means Canberra must theoretically win at least two more games than the Roosters in the final month of the regular season, or three more than Brisbane or South Sydney.
But the Raiders refuse to give up hope with the best run home of all teams.
They have a crunch clash with St George Illawarra next week, before games against Newcastle, Manly and Wests Tigers to finish.
“We’ve got to win four, that’s the aim,” five-eighth Jack Wighton said.
“That’s bloody football, we’ve had three wins (straight) and we’ve enjoyed the highs, and a good team got us (on Saturday night).
“So we do video, we look over it and see where we can be better and then we let it go.”
The Raiders are also sweating on the fitness of form prop Joe Tapine, who hurt his ribs in the loss to Penrith and didn’t return.
There are fears he will miss at least the Dragons match, with winger Nick Cotric also facing a ban.
“He’s the best prop in the comp, it’s a massive impact,” Wighton said of Tapine.
“The other boys have to work overtime and do extra work, when you’re playing a class team that make you work it is a big impact.
“We’ve got to win four games, whoever is going to do the job.”
Manly and St George Illawarra also preached similar hope over the weekend, but they need minor miracles in 10th and 11th and one win further back on Canberra.
But working in the Raiders’ favour at least is the run home for the teams above them.
The Roosters’ final month remains one of the most difficult in the NRL, while Brisbane are also in some position of risk after falling from fourth to seven in two rounds.
A fortnight ago they were in a battle for the top-four but it is now more a fight for survival.
With Penrith, North Queensland and Cronulla all secure up top, a three-way battle below them for the last spot in the top-four looms.
Parramatta’s date with South Sydney next week will likely be crucial, with the winner able to keep their hopes alive.
Melbourne are the other team in that battle in fourth spot but will face Penrith without injured halfback Jahrome Hughes next week.
The Storm then play the Broncos, Roosters and Eels in the final three rounds, as they try to avoid their first season outside the top-four since 2014.
