Raiders young gun a finals X-factor in race for minor premiership

Raiders hooker Tom Starling believes that his dynamic partnership with rookie Owen Pattie can propel Canberra to the grand final.

This season, the duo has established a formidable pairing at dummy-half, with Starling starting each game and Pattie entering to inject energy and dynamism into the play.

Pattie's ability to outmaneuver defenders as they tire has been pivotal in Canberra's late-game dominance, evidenced by their success in winning 15 of 21 second halves this year.

Starling, who has experience as a bench hooker from his early NRL days, emphasized the importance of Pattie's skill set in high-stakes moments.

While the team has consistently outperformed their competition and managed pressure effectively, their upcoming match against Penrith in Mudgee presents a unique challenge for this youthful roster.

Starling has taken on a mentorship role with fellow hooker Pattie, expressing confidence in his ability to face the pressure during this weekend's game and for the remainder of the season.