The Raiders will be without their head coach and best player for their must-win clash with the Dragons at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Ricky Stuart will be unavailable to coach after copping a one match suspension and $25,000 fine for calling Panthers five-eighth Jaeman Salmon a “weak-gutted dog” following the Raiders’ 26-6 loss to Penrith last weekend.
Canberra will also be missing star forward Joe Tapine who has been ruled out after suffering a rib injury against Penrith.
Tapine has been replaced in the starting side by Emre Guler with Corey Horsburgh coming onto the bench after a successful return from illness last weekend through the NSW Cup.
Nick Cotric is also out after being suspended for a high tackle, with Jordan Rapana shifting to the wing and Xavier Savage returning at fullback.
Ryan Sutton has been named on the bench and will continue to undergo concussion protocols this week after failing his HIA against Penrith.
Raiders and Dragons team lists
| RAIDERS | DRAGONS | |
| Xavier Savage | 1 | Moses Mbye |
| Albert Hopoate | 2 | Mathew Feagai |
| Matthew Timoko | 3 | Jack Bird |
| Sebastian Kris | 4 | Zac Lomax |
| Jordan Rapana | 5 | Tautau Moga |
| Jack Wighton | 6 | Talatau Amone |
| Jamal Fogarty | 7 | Ben Hunt |
| Josh Papalii | 8 | Jack De Belin |
| Zac Woolford | 9 | Andrew McCullough |
| Emre Guler | 10 | Blake Lawrie |
| Hudson Young | 11 | Josh McGuire |
| Elliott Whitehead | 12 | Jaydn Su’A |
| Adam Elliott | 13 | Michael Molo |
| BENCH | BENCH | |
| Tom Starling | 14 | Tyrell Sloan |
| Ryan Sutton | 15 | Aaron Woods |
| Corey Horsburgh | 16 | Tyrell Fuimaono |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 17 | Billy Burns |
| RESERVES | RESERVES | |
| James Schiller | 18 | Jayden Sullivan |
| Ata Mariota | 19 | Jackson Ford |
| Matt Frawley | 20 | Jaiyden Hunt |
| Peter Hola | 21 | Cody Ramsey |
| Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | 22 | Jack Gosiewski |
