Canberra are determined to stamp out costly errors as they bid to kick-start their NRL season after another tight loss left them with just one win from four.
Last week's one-point defeat to the Broncos coupled with a golden-point loss to the Cowboys in round one has continued the Raiders' recent penchant for close games.
Since 2015 they have played 19 matches that have finished with a four-point margin or less, winning just five times and drawing once.
Only Penrith were involved in more tight games than Canberra last year, with the Raiders and St George Illawarra involved in nine games decided by four points or less.
While last year's 14-12 preliminary final loss to Melbourne was undoubtedly their most heartbreaking narrow miss, the run that took them there sparked high expectations for the Raiders in 2017.
However, after four rounds they are languishing in 11th place, heightening the importance of Saturday's clash with Parramatta at GIO Stadium.
Veteran forward Sia Soliola said coach Ricky Stuart had focused on eliminating handling errors from the Raiders' game as they look to get the edge in close stoushes.
"Performing the way we did up in Queensland both times there and not getting the results is probably a little bit dejecting for us," Soliola said.
"But if we keep reflecting on what we've done and how we've lost those games we're not too far off."
Soliola returns to the starting side at second row to cover for Elliot Whitehead, who is serving a one-match suspension for tripping, while Luke Bateman drops to the bench with Clay Priest to start at lock.
Bateman said the team have to start converting good football in to wins after starting the season below expectations.
"It's not like we've got to reinvent the wheel," Bateman said.
"We're shooting ourselves in the foot a bit by dropping the ball."
A slice of good fortune could be the recipe to turning around their record in narrow finishes.
"There's probably some things we could have done better," Bateman said.
"But it's hard because you've got to get a bit of luck go your way when you lose by one point."
Star English hooker Josh Hodgson will be monitored through the week after suffering a sternum injury against the Broncos while giant prop Dave Taylor has been named on the bench.
THE RAIDERS' RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY FOUR POINTS OR LESS (W-L)
2015 - 2-6
2016 - 3-5 (one draw)
2017 - 0-2
TOTAL - 5-13 (one draw)
