DAVID Furner knows exactly what he wants out of tonight's match against Brisbane at Canberra Stadium.
"I want the complete performance," was his blunt assessment.
Canberra have been inconsistent this year, winning five of their 11 games - including stunning upsets of the Roosters and Storm.
But the Raiders sit outside the top eight and are just two competition points ahead of tonight's rivals.
Furner said yesterday that his team must start well against the Broncos.
"We didn't close off Manly at Brookvale (in their last game)," Furner said. "We played two separate halves of football. I guess we are looking for the complete performance.
"We have worked hard on our starts and that will be important against the fast-running Brisbane.
"We need to control the game. We have had a break (through the bye) and the chance to reassess and set our goals."
Canberra's Glen Buttriss will return from injury at hooker for Shaun Berrigan but the Raiders have no other injury concerns.
"We want that 80-minute performance," Furner said. "As I said, our start will be crucial.
"When we have been beaten this year, we haven't started the games well. If we don't get a good start, we certainly have the ability to come back and win. But it makes things all the harder.
"There are certain areas where we need to lift.
"I think the next five weeks will be important for us, starting with Brisbane.
"That is what we will be focused on. Both teams (tonight) will be desperate." The Broncos have been disappointing this season.
The one-time powerhouses will field a respectable side, although the days are long gone when they fielded a dozen legitimate stars.
Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace continues to attract speculation over his playing future.
It appears likely he may ask for a release to rejoin Penrith next season.
The temperature this evening in the national capital will drop below zero, which won't help the Broncos.
Neither will not having their star centre Justin Hodges, who remains in doubt with an injury.
Raiders captain Terry Campese believes the chilly Canberra weather will work in his side's favour.
"Against the Queensland sides, the cold weather definitely does (help)," Campese said.
"It's going to be freezing at Canberra Stadium and the ball is going to be slippery as well, so the main thing will be ball control."
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said the Raiders are hard nuts to crack in the nation's capital.
"They've got a great record at home," Griffin said.
"We don't need anything cheap at the moment, though, after the way we played the other night. We need a tough assignment to attack.
Raiders coach David Furner. Picture: Ray Strange
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