John Bateman headlines a list of nine returnees for the Raiders as they look to end Cronulla’s NRL season in their elimination final on Saturday night in Canberra.
The teams met in the last round of the regular season with Canberra winning 38-28 despite resting almost their entire first-grade side.
As well as the England international, skipper Jarrod Croker, star prop Josh Papalii and halves Jack Wighton and George Williams are all set to return for the 2019 grand finalists.
Second-rower Bateman hyper-extended his elbow the week prior against the Warriors but said he was good to go against the Sharks in a massive boost for the home side in the must-win match.
“It feels pretty good,” Bateman said.
“If I really wanted to I could have played last week but the physios and doctors said to give it the week off and give it some rest coming into this week.
“A week off might not seem like much, but it was a week to rest and freshen up and we just can’t wait to get out there.
Win or lose it will be Bateman’s last hurrah in Canberra, with the 26-year-old returning home to play in England.
“It’s my last one at GIO definitely, so it’s a pretty weird feeling,” Bateman said.