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Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker.

Canberra will be out to complete a hat-trick of wins in milestone matches in as many weeks, as they look to celebrate co-captain Jarrod Croker's 250th NRL game.

Having already celebrated both Sia Soliola's and Josh Hodgson's 100-game milestones for the Raiders over the past fortnight with victories, the Green Machine is one of the NRL's hottest sides.

Fresh off their thumping of New Zealand, they face the premiers at GIO Stadium on Sunday, with Croker's 250th adding further interest to what shapes as one of the games of the season.

Josh Papalii believes Croker's on-field heroics and point-scoring records have already granted him legend status at the club.

He said the classy centre deserves his milestone game to finish only one way.

"I'm desperate (to win for Croker). He's done a lot in this green jersey and if we can't get up for this game for Jarrod, I don't know what we can get up for," Papalii said.

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"Toots is a player who's worn this jersey with pride and it just seems like he's getting better every year. He's like a fine wine.

"He's still young by the way, he just keeps breaking all of these records. I'm just glad he's on my side."

In-form halfback Aidan Sezer said Croker's impact on the club cannot be accurately summed up.

"It's my fourth year here now and he means a lot to the team and to the club and his presence and influence on the team, you can't really compare it to anything," Sezer said.

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"He's a great teammate, a great leader and he's someone I'll look back on and be proud I played with him."

The Raiders are set for a boost for the blockbuster clash with the Roosters, with Nick Cotric to return from suspension.

The NSW Origin rep is likely to slot into the right centre at the expense of Michael Oldfield, who was excellent last weekend against New Zealand.

Despite undergoing neck surgery three months ago, Joey Leilua is also an outside chance of returning this weekend.

However, Sezer said the club is likely to err on the side of caution given the number of important games left to play in 2019.

"Nicky will be back, but I'm not too sure about BJ, he's a great player for us and it would be great to have him in the squad, but we'll see how he goes in training this week," Sezer said.

"It's a big couple of weeks ahead for us and we're working hard to put in.

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"Everyone knows BJ's influence on the game on the right edge, he's one of the best centres in the game.

"It would be a great inclusion if he was fit, but I don't think the club will rush him back, they'll want him to be 100 per cent."

Papalii enters the game as one of the form props of the Telstra Premiership, scoring a try and running for 172 meters, 75 post contact metres and pulling off 20 tackles in 48 minutes last weekend.

"We worked hard pretty early that game off the back of the short turnaround after the Penrith game," Papalii said of the win over the Warriors.

"I thought the boys turned up and put in a big effort and I know Stick (coach Ricky Stuart) was very proud but like he always reminds us every week we haven't done anything yet.

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"We're sitting pretty comfortably on the ladder but there's still five rounds to go."

Papalii expected the next fortnight against Sydney and the Melbourne Storm to provide a stern test of the Raiders' premiership credentials.

"We lost to the Roosters up in the Magic Round, but we just don't want to lose at home in front of a big crowd this weekend," he said.

"We've done some video on the Roosters and it's going to be a tough game, but the boys are looking forward to it.

"You can play good all year and one game can let you down but it's not the case this year, we're looking to go all the way."

 

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