Inspirational fullback Kaeo Weekes admits he's been feeling the pressure to spark Canberra's season to life, as the Raiders prepare for a crucial clash against Melbourne.
After claiming last season's minor premiership, the Green Machine haven't sustained that form, tumbling to 13th on the ladder and risking becoming the third team in the NRL era to miss the finals after finishing the regular season first a year earlier.
It's a statistic Ricky Stuart's men are eager to avoid, but to thrust themselves into the finals picture, the Raiders (5-9) will need to win the majority of their remaining 10 games.
Weekes concedes his team must get a wriggle on, and when asked whether he is feeling the pressure to help salvage Canberra's campaign the 24-year-old said yes.
"But I think everyone wants to be that person. You don't want to be the person that is letting the team down," Weekes told reporters on Wednesday.
"Everyone sort of wants to be that person that they're looking to and that they want to play with."
Stuart labelled his side's attack as predictable after they lost 15-12 to Parramatta last Saturday, which followed a scoreless performance against the Sydney Roosters.
But Canberra enjoy the best record in the competition (8 wins from 15 matches) against the Storm at AAMI Park.
"(There's) no inspiration, just motivation. Everyone has to be motivated and wanting to win," Weekes said.
"That's what we've got here. I'm pretty sure everyone really wants to win, and that's what's going to happen on Sunday."
The Raiders will welcome back winger Savelio Tamale from concussion, while five-eighth Ethan Strange and second-rower Hudson Young return from their State of Origin duties.
But the Storm are fresh from a bye, have won four of their last five games and will be boosted by centre Jack Howarth (quad) and utility Tyran Wishart (ankle).
Queensland representatives Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero are also expected to back up from Origin.
But forward Ata Mariota says the return of Young will be crucial as the team looks to their experienced heads for guidance.
"They (Joe Tapine and Young) pretty much just go out there and give it their all," Mariota said.
"I see that they play with a lot of heart. I try to put that in my game too."
