NRL: Aidan Sezer and Canberra Raiders poised for epic Penrith Panthers battle

Canberra Raiders halfback Aidan Sezer has broken the shackles and surged into near career-best form and outperforming a State of Origin pairing looms as his next assignment.

Sezer will steer the Raiders into a clash with a Penrith Panthers outfit led by James Maloney and Nathan Cleary at Panthers Stadium on Sunday.

It looms as another chance for Sezer to prove himself as the Raiders prepare to welcome another halfback onto their roster in the form of English Test playmaker George Williams next season.

The confirmation of Williams' arrival has coincided with Sezer turning in two of his best games in lime green.

But the task of knocking over the high-flying Panthers duo will not rest solely on his shoulders - the Raiders forward pack has already put a target on the rival playmakers.

"They're quality players, they've both played Origin and they are going to be a main target," Canberra back-rower Elliott Whitehead said.

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"As long as we play our game and we complete and finish where we want to finish, we should keep them a bit more quiet.

"Not letting them get into the game as much as they want to do, will help us towards winning the game.

"They're playing some good rugby at the moment and it's going to be a tough challenge to go up there. They've got a lot of confidence in themselves at the moment."

Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says Sezer has played an instrumental role in Canberra's return to form as the club looks to solidify a place in the top four.

"In our attack we're just playing a lot more simple. [Josh Hodgson] and Aidan Sezer in there, even when Sammy [Williams] is in there, they're playing a lot more direct and leading the side around really well," Croker said.

"It frees up guys like Jack and we've got quality back-rowers that are good ball-players."

The Raiders will field an unchanged side in Penrith with battered and bruised fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad cleared to set up a mouthwatering fullback battle.

Dylan Edwards has been instrumental in Penrith's revival while Nicoll-Klokstad has emerged as one of the buys of the year across the NRL.

He worked overtime to get his body right for the Panthers clash having feared he broke his leg at one stage during the game against Wests this past weekend.

"Penrith and Canberra over the past couple of years has always been a good game. We're expecting a high quality game," Croker said.

"It is going to be a packed house over there, I know they're going to be absolutely riding that confidence wave.

"When it's a fast, free flowing game, guys like Charnze and Dylan Edwards are highly involved. I'd expect nothing different his weekend."

NRL ROUND 19

Sunday: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium, 4pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Sebastian Kris, 21. JJ Collins.

Panthers squad: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Brent Naden, 5. Brian To'o, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Mitchell Kenny, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11, Viliame Kikau, 12. Frank Winterstein, 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Wayden Egan, 15. Jahrome Luai, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 18. Jed Cartwright, 19. Spencer Leniu, 20. Stephen Crichton, 21. Liam Martin.