Canberra Raiders' bubble expands but no room for Michael Ennis yet

Ennis has been working with the Raiders spine via Zoom since the coronavirus shutdown, but his other commitments outside of the Green Machine means he still can't return to Canberra training.

That's despite the NRL expanding the so-called bubble from 50 to 55 - with 36 players and 19 staff now allowed to be on their Apollo register.

Ennis would need to abide by the NRL's stringent protocols for those inside the bubble, which would mean he'd be unable to coach his son's football team.

Stuart said Ennis was one of a number of Raiders consultants who still couldn't attend training, along with Jarrod Croker's goalkicking coach Daryl Halligan.

"No. A number of consultants are still not allowed," Stuart said.

"Darryl Halligan, he's not allowed. We've got three consultants who are still unfortunately not allowed in because then they're included in our bubble.

"I think they can do their secondary job, but for example Mick can't go and coach his young bloke's footy team.

"Family life is more important for those people than being a consultant here at the club at this time."

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However, Stuart was excited about the fans being able to return to Canberra Stadium, where the Raiders will play their first game since the COVID-19 lockdown against St George Illawarra next Friday.

The Green Machine mentor admitted it felt weird being allowed to do normal things - like go to a cafe for a coffee - again after the NRL relaxed the restrictions.

It didn't take his players long to take advantage of the new rules, with several of them getting out for a hit of golf on Monday - the first time in months they'd been allowed to do so.

"I just think it's good for the fans that are allowed to get back to the game, win the vote to get back into the game live, it's wonderful support for their loyalty and passion," Stuart said.

"They're all sitting there at home watching it on TV, but there's nothing better than to have the fans at the game and as a fan it would be great to sit in the stand to watch.

"I think the players and the whole game are really looking forward to having crowds back. When is the big question, but it's good we're going to start dwindling them in."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium, 7.35pm.

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 Papalii, 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: 18. Bailey Simonsson, 19. Dunamis Lui, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Tom Starling.

Eels squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Brad Takairangi. Reserves: 18. David Gower, 19. Daniel Alvaro, 20. George Jennings, 21. Jai Field.