Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wants to know what's under the jumper

So he can see no better way to find out that with one opening message to ignite the fire within before they head onto the field at Canberra Raiders headquarters for a field session in the sweltering November heat.

"Corey Horsburgh and Emre Guler were sitting in your seat over the past two years," Stuart said.

"'They've just finished playing a grand final and have grand final experience now'. That's the best carrot you can have, that's the best bit of motivation and inspiration they can have.

"There have been two players who have really raised to the standards of being an NRL player and they got to play in a grand final this past season.

"A couple of years ago they were sitting in the exact same spot, getting the exact same presentation from myself. They committed to the hard work, and look what they achieved.

"That said, we're not happy with how the season finished and we have to use that now as our springboard.

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"We've got to move into the next phase of our development as a club and as our squad of players.

"It's more an education and an experience. We've got Hudson Young, Luke Bateman and Jack Murchie, guys that have been there before, but it's predominantly young blokes.

"It's an education about what full-time training is and how you do it."

A host of under 20s players will join the top squad for pre-season training until the groups go their separate ways at the Christmas break.

That group of players is set to be without halfback Aidan Sezer with the Huddersfield Giants closing in on securing his services for 2020 and beyond.

The Giants could announce Sezer's signing within days but the arrival of English Test halfback George Williams will bolster the options at Stuart's disposal.

Jordan Rapana will be the other big name absentee when the remainder of the Raiders squad returns for pre-season training next week after he inked a deal with a Japanese rugby franchise.

There has been interest in luring Rapana back to the club after his stint in Japan is finished which would be a huge boost to the Green Machine's depth in the outside backs.

Whether the star winger is there or not, Stuart is adamant his group is determined to bounce back as strong as they possibly can when they hit the track next week.

"I've spoken to a lot of them, they're all looking forward to getting back with one another and getting back into the fold. There's a little bit of unfinished business," Stuart said.

"It's important they have had a good mental break because it was a very long season last year.

"But it's also very important, and they know this, that they return in some good physical condition because it's a shorter pre-season than what we've had over the past year or so.

"We've got to get straight back on the horse."