Canberra Raiders' Ricky Stuart's coaching career comes full circle

But Stuart couldn't care less he's facing an old club because there's a grand final on the line.

Stuart coached the Sydney Roosters to the 2002 title - his first season as a senior coach - and followed that up with two more grand final appearances in the next two years.

But the Roosters let him go at the end of the 2006 season.

Now he's leading his beloved Green Machine into the grand final against the Roosters at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, in search of his second premiership as coach.

The fact he's facing a former club is the furthest thing from his mind.

His sole focus is on winning the Raiders' first trophy since 1994 - when he was Canberra's star halfback.

"No, I'm just worried about getting our game right. It's really important that we have a week where we enjoy what comes with it, but to still have a really good preparation," Stuart said.

"It's a grand final mate, I don't care who we're playing. There's a lot at stake and I don't care what team we play against it's just a matter of all doing our jobs the best we possibly can this week."

That task has had a huge boost as hope turned to expectation that one of the most damaging centres in the NRL will run out in the grand final.

Stuart expected Joey Leilua to be fit.

While a massive boost for the Green Machine, it also sets up a mouth-watering clash between two of the most destructive outside backs in the game - Leilua up against Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell.

Stuart said a burst blood vessel in his calf forced him off in the Raiders' preliminary final win over South Sydney on Friday night.

Leilua's been undergoing intensive physiotherapy on it since, with the Green Machine saying on Saturday they were "hopeful" he'd be fit.

That hope has now firmed into something stronger in the countdown to the biggest game of the season.

Leilua has already made one miraculous injury recovery this year, coming back from career-threatening neck surgery in just four months.

Now he looks set to take his usual place on the Raiders' right edge and play in his second NRL grand final, having been part of the Roosters' loss to St George Illawarra in 2010.

Stuart said Jack Wighton (shoulder) was also a certainty.

He landed awkwardly on his shoulder, but said straight after the 16-10 victory over Souths there was no way it was going to stop him.

"I'm expecting [Leilua will] be right, but I'll know more [Monday]. It was a [burst] blood vessel," Stuart said.

"He was limping around [Saturday}, but I think he'll be OK.

" think everybody will be available so I'm not expecting anything else."

Even if Leilua doesn't get up, the Raiders have plenty of cover with Bailey Simonsson able to come in on the wing with Nick Cotric shifting to centre.

Stuart said their depth this season has been crucial in their run to the grand final.

Leilua's missed 15 games this season, while fellow outside backs Cotric and Jordan Rapana have also spent time on the sideline.

"We've got some depth there. That's been a big part of the season," Stuart said.

"The players who have filled in have done a superb job. There were games there where we had six or seven out and we won some of those games.

"That's a really big assistance, a big help."

NRL GRAND FINAL

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.