Canberra Raiders hoping for full crowds come NRL finals time

It comes as the NRL announced easing of coronavirus restrictions that will allow Raiders star Jordan Rapana to play golf again from Sunday.

NRL players will also be allowed to attend cafes and restaurants, go surfing and do other individual recreational activities, and potentially have visitors at their homes.

The strict COVID-19 measures surrounding training and playing, however, will remain in place.

Furner was happy with the ACT government allowing up to 2000 fans to attend their round-eight clash against St George Illawarra at Canberra Stadium on July 3.

If it goes well, there's the potential of having 6250 at their next home game - against the Melbourne Storm on July 11.

The Raiders will next week start looking into the possibility of setting up a members ballot for the Dragons clash - with fans that miss out potentially getting preference for subsequent home games.

Furner said they'd been working with the ACT government on finalising their submission to the NRL to get final approval to return to Canberra Stadium.

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He said there were lots of protocols they needed to have in place come kick-off on July 3, including seat spacing and getting the names, addresses and phone numbers of all the fans in attendance.

"We'll just work with the first weekend and I think we'll get together after that and review it," Furner said.

"If everything goes according to plan, hopefully in the following weeks and in August there can be a few more come in.

"We'd love to get back at the end of year to have semi-finals with full crowds. That's the ultimate goal, but we've got to walk before you run so to speak."

It means two big boosts for the Raiders players in two days.

Firstly the return to playing at Canberra Stadium, which means their game against the Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday will be the final time they'll have to travel to Sydney for home games.

Then there's the easing of the Project Apollo protocols that Furner helped put in place.

The NRL didn't reveal the full details on Saturday, but confirmed they were easing restrictions on players who have much tougher rules in place than the wider community.

They'll be able to go out for coffee and dinner, and also potentially visit family members they don't live with.

"Getting back home will be great for us. I can't wait for that. It will be a big boost," Furner said.

"If we get the win this week and then it'll be a boost for the players and the coaching staff to think that we're back home three weeks earlier than thought."

NRL ROUND SIX

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Jordan Rapana, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papali'i, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Hudson Young. Reserves: 19. Bailey Simonsson, 21. Tom Starling.

Sea Eagles squad: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Tevita Funa, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Brendan Elliot, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Taniela Paseka, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker, 15. Jack Gosiewski, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Morgan Boyle. Reserves: 19. Abbas Miski, 20. Haumole Olakau'atu.