They've been one of the early success stories of the NRL season, but the origins of the five victories for the Canberra Raiders can be traced back to 2016.

That year the Raiders went tantalisingly close to the final game of the year, before they were knocked out the running by Melbourne in the preliminary final.

The heartache that night at AAMI Park sparked two years of what-if's and maybes for Canberra, but with it has come mental maturity, according to coach Ricky Stuart.

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Teammates pay tribute to Croker ahead of 100th game as Captain

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Lest We Forget



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Two years of NRL pain have helped the Canberra Raiders come of age through a period coach Ricky Stuart says would've broken most teams.

The Green Machine are flying high early in the 2019 season, sitting third on the ladder and only separated from the top-placed Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters by points differential.

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After suffering their first loss in a month, and a controversial one at that with the 12-10 loss to the Dragons, Manly will be in no mood to give the Raiders an easy time at Lottoland on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles won this corresponding match at home last year 32-16 with Tom Trbojevic in devastating form scoring a try but setting up four others. He won't be at Lottoland this time and Canberra is a far different proposition 12 months on.

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