Key three: New-look halves pairing, back five stand-up in close Raiders battle

The new right side combination proved to be a target for Canberra, who won the contest five tries to four.

Here are the key talking points:

Raiders target right side changes

Dealt with the challenge of David Fifita and Jayden Campbell who typically defend on the right side, it proved to be a target for the Green Machines who scored their first three tries on their left to challenge the new combination of Tom Weaver and Chris Randall.

The combination tightened up in the second 40 to see a number of attacking plays stopped, including some great scramble defence in the 59th minute to prevent Hudson Young from his second four-pointer.

With Fifita (hamstring) and Campbell (ankle) potentially sidelined for further weeks, the duo will relish an opportunity to train together through the week to strengthen their combination - which was seen as the game progressed - ahead of next week's Cowboys battle in Townsville.

Weaver takes charge alongside Brimson

Young gun Tom Weaver took his opportunity with both hands, joining with AJ Brimson to take charge and help with the first three tries of the afternoon against Canberra.

Bringing his deft kicking game, the duo played a big part from the third minute, when the five-eighth grubbered a well-timed kick for Fermor to dive on and opening the scoring.

Weaver then found Jojo Fifita on the right hand side with a perfectly-placed cross-field kick; before Brimson did it all himself to extend out to a 16-0 lead.

A further Weaver kick looked fortuitous with a four-pointer in the 62nd minute, until the Bunker had their say to take the try off Allan Fitzgibbon.

With Campbell awaiting the results of medical advice from scans, Weaver will likely find himself alongside Brimson for the coming weeks - until at least Kieran Foran's availability from a biceps injury, which could be as early as Magic Round.

Back five toil hard

Gold Coast's back five did their job to earn field position across the 80 minutes, headlined by the return of Jojo Fifita who again impressed on the right edge.

Phil Sami was strong with 156 running metres across his carries and Brian Kelly also provided plenty go forward at left centre with 111 metres including two line break assists and a try assist.

Allan Fitzgibbon also didn't disappoint in his second game, scoring his maiden four-pointer in the 51st minute, before almost having a double before being denied.

It was also a solid game from Jaylan De Groot who topped the running metres tally with 203 - energetic out the back in his fourth appearance of 2025.

It makes for a tough decision for Des Hasler next week, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira a chance to return from his hamstring injury.