Ricky Stuart was confident that his Raiders had the talent to deliver on Saturday night.
It all hinged on having his key players, especially in the forward positions, available for selection.
Following the win over the Bulldogs, the Canberra coach addressed the media, stating that he had been "bashed up socially and bashed up publicly."
In his post-game remarks, he took the opportunity to reiterate a crucial point: the previous year's minor premiers, despite facing challenges this season, remain close to competing.
This sentiment also extends to young halfback Ethan Sanders, who has faced significant scrutiny during his inaugural full season in the NRL.
However, Stuart argues that Sanders has been disproportionately affected by the team's injury woes.
He even referenced Nathan Cleary's impressive performance in the recent State of Origin match to illustrate his point.
"We've all been critical of Nathan Cleary and his game in Origin," said Stuart.
This highlights the challenges young players face when thrown into the fray amid injury struggles.
Ultimately, Stuart's confidence in his players and the team's potential shines through even amidst adversity.