As the Raiders embark on a season filled with lofty expectations, veteran forward Sia Soliola knows their NRL rivals won't be caught off guard this season.
After stamping themselves as one of the competition's surprise packets in 2016 by finishing second at the end of the home and away season before being knocked out by Melbourne in the preliminary final, Canberra enter the season with many tipping they can break a 23-year premiership drought.
"We don't really have the element of surprise we did last year," Soliola said.
"Everyone's expecting us to do well this season."
But the weight of expectation isn't dragging the side down, with Soliola pleased to be in a position where they are contenders before their season opener against North Queensland in Townsville on March 4.
They will be without front-rower Junior Paulo against the Cowboys after he was suspended by the club for the round one clash over his reckless driving and common assault convictions.
"For someone his size as well he actually gets around the pitch and can play some big minutes so we're going to lose a little bit of experience there," Soliola said.
"(But) we're confident we'll find someone to replace Junior."
The Raiders have added English import Jordan Turner and former St George lock Dunamis Lui to the squad which last year posted their first top two finish since 1994.
Turner and Lui made their first appearances for the Green Machine at the Auckland Nines on the weekend.
Soliola sat out the tournament to rest his knee which he says will be right to play in the Raiders' trial match against Newcastle in Queanbeyan on Saturday week.
"The only reason why I didn't go to the nines was rehab-wise we were probably just a little bit behind," he said.
The 30-year-old is desperate to get the season underway as contact training begins to ramp up.
"We've been training really hard throughout the off-season, as all the clubs are, but around this time we want to get our hands on the footy," Soliola said.
