By Sebastian Tan in Canberra

Coach Ricky Stuart declares Canberra are beginning to find their stride, but is remaining cautious knowing they’ll have to flick a switch if they are to withstand a Penrith ambush. 

The Raiders host the ladder-leading Panthers on Sunday at GIO Stadium, where Canberra will look to become the first team since Brisbane in 2019 to win three straight games against Ivan Cleary’s men.

But to do that won’t be an easy task, with high-flying visitors boasting the best defensive record in the NRL and mixing that with their typically lethal attack.

The Raiders, who have had a slow start to their minor premiership defence, will need to build off their 28-12 victory against Gold Coast last Saturday, and Stuart says the signs are already showing they can.

“Word out there is that they’re coming down to ambush us, and it should be a great game,” Stuart said.

“We’re in a position now that our games are starting to become a little bit more fluent with a few of the newer faces we’ve got in the team.

“It takes a couple of games to find that cohesion, and I think the boys that have stepped in have done a wonderful job.”

The Raiders remain without key personnel for Sunday’s clash with captain Josh Papali’i (calf), Noah Martin (ankle), and Zac Hosking (concussion) all out.

But they will welcome back the barnstorming Hudson Young from suspension and five-eighth Ethan Strange, who missed the Titans game with an ankle niggle.

“He (Strange) wasn’t that far off last week. He made the wise call himself that he was not going to be 100 per cent and that he probably let the team down if he did take the field last weekend,” Stuart said.

“He’s trained all week. He did a half a session at the start of the week, and then did a full session yesterday (Friday).”

Stuart added Young’s return is also timely as the Raiders lost young gun Joe Roddy after scans revealed he broke his hand in last Saturday’s clash.

But despite the Raiders player shortage, Stuart can see light at the end of the tunnel as Canberra have the bye over Magic Round next week and are expecting Hosking and Papali’i to return soon after.

For the Panthers, Jack Cole replaces Jack Cogger (suspension) while prop Liam Henry has been parachuted onto the bench after overcoming a knee injury.

“He (Henry) is one of those guys who just loves every part of the game, so he’ll be a good inclusion for us,” Cleary said.

“The (Raiders) are an unpredictable side. They’re very powerful, and have some really good players.”