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It's not that the former Australian and NSW No6 doesn't want Canberra to return to the top of the NRL.

He just fears the Raiders' spectacular form over the past two months will count for nothing if the club loses its two remaining games.

''It's an exciting time for the club, but having said that their first half of the season was very disappointing,'' Daley said.

''In a competition like this, once you lose focus and you start to look too far ahead, one loss will put you back down with the also-rans.

''If they lose their next two games they've massively underachieved for the year.

''Here we are two weeks out talking about finals and how great they are.

''You've got to be cautious and I'm hoping the players are thinking like that as well.

''I'd hate to think they think they're going to roll up against the Cowboys and go through the motions.''

The Raiders need to beat the under-strength Cowboys and then the Brisbane Broncos next Friday night to secure their place in the finals.

Their bid to continue past the end of the regular season could be boosted with veteran Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer still battling a rib injury.

Canberra's confidence is sky high after it demolished the St George Illawarra Dragons in spectacular fashion last weekend.

Daley backed the Raiders to continue their good form and ensure a 24-year finals tradition continues, if they keep producing their sparkling play.

Since 1987 the Raiders have made the finals 17 times.

During that period, they have never failed to make the playoffs in consecutive years.

''I've looked at the stats and that's a proud record that you'd hope the players can respond to and live up to as well,'' Daley said.