Canberra are determined not to repeat their “missed opportunity” in 2016 as the club approaches its second NRL finals appearance in seven years.

The Raiders finished second in 2016 but bounced out in the preliminary final following losses to Cronulla and Melbourne.

They could face those teams again next month as third-placed Canberra sit on the cusp of just their second top-four finish in 16 years.

The Raiders are in a three-way battle with Manly (fourth) and South Sydney (fifth) for two top-four spots as they prepare to face the seventh-ranked Sharks in the penultimate regular season rand at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.

Raiders five-eighth Aidan Sezer said a premiership was the “ultimate prize” and promised they wouldn’t waste this season’s opportunity as they look to snap a 25-year title drought.

“You work your whole career for it and when you’re training really hard in November and December you have that in the back of your mind,” Sezer said.

“I look back on 2016 as a big opportunity missed and we’ve got one ahead of us in the next month or so.

“We want to put in our best effort so we’re not finishing the year with any regrets.

“All the other little things that come along with rugby league are good but I think everyone will agree the ultimate prize is an NRL premiership.”

The trip to Paul Gallen’s home farewell marks Canberra’s fourth straight game against top-eight opposition.

They’ve lost two of those clashes but skipper Jarrod Croker says they’re better for the run.

“You’d rather lose them now than in a month’s time and hopefully (come finals) we’re prepared and can adapt when it comes time to play them again,” he said.

“It would have been nice to win one of those closer ones with either Manly or the Roosters but we can’t control everything.

“I think we’re certainly in a pretty strong position and we’ve shown defensively that we can defend in those big games.

“We have some attack stuff to work on but I feel like we’ve come through it better.”