Canberra coach David Furner has all but threatened players with the selection axe by not deciding on a final team until later this week.
Under-siege Canberra coach David Furner has kept his options open by naming a 20-man squad for Saturday's crucial NRL battle against Newcastle.
Currently in camp on the Central Coast in an unprecedented move to turn around the Raiders' horror season, Furner said the final team won't be decided until game eve.
It's an obvious warning to players to lift their game or face the selection axe following their embarrassing 40-0 capitulation to Wests Tigers on Saturday, one of the club's worst losses.
For the time being, there is just one change to the starting squad, with Dane Tilse to replace captain David Shillington, who's been recalled by Queensland for State of Origin duties.
On the bench, Matt McIlwrick has been brought in to cover for Shaun Berrigan, who suffered a grade-two tear to his bicep in the Tigers match and will miss up to six weeks.
Out-of-favour forward Bronson Harrison has also joined the extended bench, along with Mark Nicholls, Trevor Thurling and Sam Williams.
Furner has stuck with Josh Dugan in the No.6 jersey, admitting he didn't see enough of the ball in his debut against the Tigers to prove what he can do in attack.
Team: Reece Robinson, Dimitri Pelo, Jarrod Croker, Blake Ferguson, Edrick Lee, Josh Dugan, Josh McCrone, Dane Tilse, Travis Waddell, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Papalii, Joel Thompson, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Matt McIlwrick, Bronson Harrison, Sam Mataora, Joe Picker Trevor Thurling, Mark Nicholls, Sam Williams.
