Canberra Raiders challenged to stake NRL top-eight claims

A win over St George Illawarra at Wollongong on Saturday will take them above the Dragons and potentially into the eight - depending on other results.

With the NRL season entering the back half of the campaign, Stuart felt they needed to lay down a marker.

He's called for the Raiders to build some momentum off the back of their victory over the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, while also wary of the fact the Dragons were coming off an insipid loss.

Stuart was expecting tough conditions in Wollongong, with rain and strong wind forecasted.

The Raiders were part of a group of eight teams - from seventh down to 14^th - that were separated by just two wins.

"The back end of the season for that batch of teams is going to be essential," Stuart said.

"It's such a tight competition. The top teams keep beating that bundle of teams, it's time now for some of those teams to stand up and say we're going to take our season forward.

"That's what we've got to do. As a group we've got to take our season forward by winning games."

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Stuart praised the way halfback Sam Williams directed the Green Machine around the park last week.

He might not have got the try assist, but he ordered Josh Papalii to take the hit-up that led to the prop's try - even pointing where the big bopper should run.

"Sammy is a wonderful director on the field. He's got great vocab - you're really certain in regards to what he wants and he's got great intentions, and that comes through in his communication," Stuart said.

"You can see it and hear it at training. And the forwards they like that, the big blokes in the middle like to be pointed in a direction. Last week they were and they did the job for us."

NRL ROUND 15

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons at Wollongong, 5.30pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Bailey Simonsson, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Matt Timoko, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Joe Tapine. Reserves: 18. Xavier Savage, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Ryan James.

Dragons squad: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Cody Ramsey, 3. Brayden Wiliame, 4. Gerard Beale, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Jack Bird, 13. Jackson Ford. Interchange: 14. Talatau Amone, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Jack de Belin. Reserves: 8. Adam Clune, 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Tyrell Sloan, 21. Zac Lomax.