Only a game away from a place in the grand final, the Raiders head down to Melbourne to battle the Storm on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
A barnstorming performance against the minor premiers in Round 23 at GIO Stadium has provided the Raiders with belief they can match it with the NRL's benchmark side, however, the Storm will enter the match much fresher after a week break.
Read on for the five things we can't wait to see as the green machine look to advance to the grand final for the first time since 1994.
One More
Jordan Rapana has the chance this weekend to overtake clubs legends Noa Nadraku, Jason Croker and Brett Mullins as the Raiders’ most prolific try scorer in a season.
Rapana scored his 22nd try for the season just before halftime against the Panthers, and if he scores just one more time when the Raiders face the Storm this weekend, he will lay claim to the record that has stood for over 20 years.
Rare Company
What a season the captain has had! Back in round 24, Jarrod Croker overtook Clinton Schifcofske's club record of 245 points in a season, and this week he has the chance to break the illustrious 300 mark.
Heading into this Saturday’s preliminary final blockbuster with the Storm, Croker sits at equal third with Hazem El Masri for the NRL’s all time record of points in a season on 296 points. A huge 18-point haul this weekend could see Croker overtake Brett Hodgson to rise to second, but even if the Raiders pull off a win against the Storm, it would take something truly out of this world for Croker to overtake El Masri’s all-time record of 342.
Underdogs...or not?
Though the odds may be against them, the Raiders have the recent matchup record in Melbourne on their side.
AAMI Park is often seen as a fortress for the Storm, but the Raiders have won the last three of four matches in Melbourne.
The Raiders also won the only 2016 season match between the sides, putting on a commanding 22-8 win at GIO Stadium in Round 23.
It remains to be seen whether the Storm will benefit from a week off after their finals week one victory over the Cowboys. The week off didn't help the Storm last season, and Raiders fans will be hoping history repeats on Saturday.
Watch highlights from the last time the Raiders met the Storm in the video below.
