Canberra's season of woe has been dealt another blow with rookie Jeremy Hawkins denied his NRL debut this weekend against the Gold Coast due to second-tier salary cap restrictions.
It's the second time in as many seasons the Raiders have been denied blooding a player, with playmaker Mitch Cornish rejected in similar circumstances in the final round fixture of 2013.
The Raiders, who are positioned equal last on points, made a formal submission to the NRL for Hawkins to play on the wing against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium this Sunday after Jack Wighton was ruled out with a broken thumb.
Hawkins, 21, is a junior Kiwis international vice captain and shot into selection contention last weekend with four tries for the Raiders' feeder club Mounties in their win over the Bulldogs.
However the NRL on Wednesday morning ruled the Raiders second-tier salary cap was at its limit, and as other eligible players were available - including Reece Robinson - Hawkins could not play.
Raiders CEO Don Furner said although the ruling was disappointing, the Raiders had no choice but to accept the NRL's decision.
"We've debuted four players this season - Mitch Cornish, Matt Allwood, Shannon Boyd and Brenko Lee - and last week Kurt Baptiste came into the team which has seen us reach our second tier limit," he said.
"With injuries to Jack Wighton and a season ending injury to Edrick Lee earlier this year we were hopeful of an exemption.
"It's disappointing for Jeremy but we're confident he'll get his chance to make his NRL debut with the Raiders in the future."
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