Canberra captain Jarrod Croker believes last season's deep run in the NRL finals has set the team up for more success next year.
The Raiders returned for their first day of their pre-season training on Monday, less than two months after falling one game short of a grand final appearance.
And Croker said there was an air of expectation among the playing group.
"The long break, everyone was keen to get back into it, which is a good sign for us," Croker said.
Kurt Baptiste's re-signing last week meant all 17 players who played when Canberra went close to beating Melbourne in the preliminary final will be back on deck next season.
Only Edrick Lee and Jordan Rapana come off-contract at the end next season, creating a continuity Croker is banking on to deliver early results next year.
"We've laid a good platform," he said.
"We've got a very similar squad for the next couple of years now. Everyone's played that season or two together now. The combinations are already there.
"It might be a bit rusty at the start but obviously after the break, we all know each other pretty well by now so hopefully a week or two in it should just click and we can build on last year."
Croker is unlikely to take part in full training for another fortnight as he recovers from ankle and knee injuries that plagued the back-end of his 2016 season.
He started straight-line running two weeks ago.
"I'm still at that stage at the moment. It was probably more the ankle giving me grief than the knee," he said.
Croker says the recruitment of former State of Origin representative David Taylor on a pre-season deal is an exciting development.
"If he goes out there and rips in, who knows what could happen," Croker said.
