Talking points: Siliva Havili set to cover Josh Hodgson as Raiders injury crisis continues

The Green Machine's injury crisis went from bad to worse on Saturday night, with Hodgson suffering a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Raiders' 20-14 loss to the Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium.

The Raiders co-captain went down in an attempted tackle on Storm veteran Cameron Smith in the 27^th minute - his right knee buckled during a change of direction.

Hodgson had a knee reconstruction on his left knee after tearing his ACL at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. It took him until round 15 the following season to make a comeback, with Havili stepping in for the Raiders.

Havili was brought to Canberra from the St George-Illawarra Dragons in 2018 to cover for Hodgson, and now he's set for another extended stint as hooker.

"He's important. But as I said, walking in the changeroom and seeing the disappointment but also understanding that we have a short turnaround and I asked we keep that type of spirit and competitiveness," Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said.

"The way they kept trying and put their body on their line in defence was amazing."

Tom Starling, who has played four NRL matches, could potentially become the Raiders' back-up hooker. He's spent the season as the Green Machine's ballboy, having been named in the 21 each week.

"We have a lot of faith and trust in Tommy," Stuart said.

"He hasn't played a lot of first grade because of the boys in front of him but he'll come into the mix now."

Three infringements, a sin bin and a penalty for dissent. NRL referee Grant Atkins was taking no nonsense in his first match back from the Addin Fonua-Blake slur.

The Raiders loss started with three penalties in the opening three minutes, one against Jack Wighton for a late hit, another against an offside Christian Welch and a six-again call.

But the hard calls came in the 27^th minute, when Raiders winger Bailey Simonsson was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul on Josh Addo-Carr.

The 1500-capacity crowd and keyboard warriors were furious at the call and rightfully so. Simonsson had lunged for the ball in an attempt to knock it dead, and the "Fox" ran into him.

"They scored a try when we had 12 men on the field and we should not have had 12 men on the field," Stuart said.

"It should not have happened. It's a bit of luck, it's wrong calls from people in positions where they're making wrong calls. It goes against us."

A few minutes later the Storm rubbed salt into the wound and clearly wasted time, with Ryley Jacks asking for medical attention after a line drop-out was ruled.

If a player comes down with an injury after the referee's call, they must leave the field. But Cameron Smith tried to soak it up and argue for time, but no consequence came.

In the second half, Canberra's Elliott Whitehead was penalised for dissent after a disallowed try was ruled as a knock-on.

Lock Kai O'Donnell was thrust into the Raiders' starting side for his NRL debut and had a strong opening 20 minutes.

The 21-year-old debutant stepped up to help fill the void left by injured forwards Corey Horsburgh (foot), Sia Soliola (face) and Emre Guler (ankle).

He made 59 metres in six runs, 24 post-contact metres, as well as eight tackles at 88.9 per cent.

Stuart wanted to put him back on in the second-half but had to keep him as a cover for Havili, who covered for Hodgson.

"I apologised to him in the sheds after the game because I couldn't get him back on. I then had to hold him for Siliva, I was waiting for him to gas out but he did a great job," Stuart said.

"Kai will play first grade again. If it's not next week then it will be soon."

The Raiders will now set their sights on grand-final revenge, with the Green Machine to meet the Sydney Roosters in a round-10 clash on Thursday.

The two-time reigning champions have won six of seven matches since the NRL's resumption, culminating in a 42-16 thrashing of the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Roosters scored eight tries to the Cowboys' three in Townsville and lead the competition's scoring with 268 points.

They've scored the most tries (45), goals (43), as well as topping the competition's charts in attack, running metres and defence.

Next Thursday's grand-final rematch at Sydney Cricket Ground, where the Raiders haven't played since 1987, will kick off at 7.50pm.