Fringe Canberra Raiders could play in local comp

With the NSW Cup likely to be on ice as long as Sydney remains in lockdown, the Raiders' reserves need a place to play.

For those that were part of the 29 players Raiders coach Ricky Stuart took to the Gold Coast, where they'll stay for at least the next four weeks, it's currently unlikely the Green Machine would look to ballot them out to Queensland Cup sides - like some Sydney clubs were considering.

And for the half dozen who were left behind in Canberra, like Darby Medlyn and Ata Mariota, they might be allowed to play in the local competition to keep their match fitness up.

That lack of NSW Cup games has already claimed it's first Raiders casualties, with Kai O'Donnell and Adam Cook released from their Canberra contracts so they could return home to Queensland - where they will play for the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.

It's also looking increasingly unlikely Curtis Scott will play for the Raiders again this season as he remained locked down in Sydney.

He would need to return to Canberra and quarantine for two weeks before he would be able to return to training at Raiders HQ.

Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said they would look to make life fun for the players outside the match-day squad on the Gold Coast.

"We'll try and keep it as enjoyable as possible for those guys every week that aren't getting a run," he said.

"Obviously they've got to do their work whether it's physically - getting your ks in your legs or contact in - but we'll try and not make it too much of a strain for those guys.

"They fit in and train as much as they can on the field and do their little bit of extra work they have to do at the end of a session.

"Away from that we're just one big team, that's a bit of a positive for them.

"It's tough for all those blokes that aren't getting a run week-in, week-out, but we're lucky to have a good squad and have them all up here."

NRL ROUND 18

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at the Gold Coast, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James. Reserves: 18. Matthew Timoko, 19. Trey Mooney, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Harley Smith-Shields.

Sharks squad: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Connor Tracey, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Toby Rudolf. Interchange: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele. Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Luke Metcalf.

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