Canberra will face the undefeated Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, seeking a club-first NRLW preliminary-final victory and a place in their first grand final.
The Raiders are drawing motivation from an unexpected source: suspended co-captain Simaima Taufa's visits with cheese, biscuits and barbecues.
Taufa cannot play after receiving a three-game ban for dangerous contact with Parramatta fullback Abbi Church in round 10.
The 32-year-old lock's absence initially threatened Canberra's premiership hopes, given her grand-final experience, State of Origin appearances and 2017 Dally M Medal.
Although sidelined, the Tonga-born veteran has continued supporting teammates, according to fullback Sheridan Gallagher.
"Throughout the last couple of weeks, some of us have had off games, and she just picks up the phone, or she'll just turn up at your door and sit down," Gallagher told AAP.
"She's been just pumping everyone up, doing whatever they need, whether it's extras on the field or going around for a barbecue or cheese platter, just to hang out with the girls.
"It just really shows (the type of person Taufa is) when your captain's knocking at your door wanting to watch the footy and bring some cheese and bikkies over."
Canberra desperately wants victory because Taufa would be eligible to return for the grand final, while her two previous grand-final appearances with the Roosters could provide useful insight.
Centre Bobbi Law, who came through the Roosters pathway, said Canberra would not need that assistance.
"I hope they're coming in a little bit stressed and thinking, 'Oh man, we're up against the Raiders. It's going to be a tough day for us," Law told AAP.
Law also recalled first wearing an NRLW jersey alongside Taufa and Zahara Temara before eventually joining Canberra.