Canberra Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker believes the club will have few excuses should it miss finals next year, conceding coach Ricky Stuart "now has the team he wants" after putting a broom through the squad.

Croker is one of just five players remaining from Canberra's top-25 squad in 2013 while two new recruits - Aidan Sezer and Adam Clydsdale - were on hand when the Raiders became the first side to begin pre-season training on Monday.

Entering his second season as captain, Croker said he feels more comfortable in the role and declared the huge turnover in personnel "exciting".

Lock Shaun Fensom, back rower Jarrad Kennedy, fullback Jack Wighton and Queensland Origin player Josh Papalii are the others still left on the payroll from 2013.

Stuart is entering the final year of his three-year deal and the Raiders improved from 15th in his first season in charge to 10th last year.

A number of close losses, in particular at home where they won just three games, ruined any chance of finals.

"There's not many players left from a couple of years ago so it's been a fresh start the last 18 months or two years," Croker said.

"I'm excited about it and I'm sure Sticky [Stuart] is as well. He's got the team now that he wants and it's just up to us now."

The Raiders had a light day on Monday consisting of medical tests and screens, and will resume on-field and gym training on Tuesday.

Players will be rewarded with another week off should they pass all their tests.

Gold Coast recruit Sezer is expected to be eased into his new club as he continues his recovery on a shoulder injury which ended his final year at the Titans.

He will undergo rehab with his new halves partner Blake Austin, who won the Dally M five-eighth of the year in his first year at Canberra.

Canberra fielded a new-look 'spine' last year with Wighton playing his first full season at fullback, English hooker Josh Hodgson was one of their best at hooker and the Sam Williams-Austin halves partnership blossomed.

Croker believes the fact they will start the season on the same page will ensure the Raiders avoid a slow start, which has plagued them in recent years.

"They've had the season together now, and Aidan Sezer comes in as well to bolster that spine," Croker said. "They went really well I thought considering it was their first season together."

Incumbent halfback Williams is tired of answering questions about his pending battle with Sezer for the Raiders No.7 jersey.

Now he gets the chance to turn talk into action and he believes the competition will bring out the best in him.

Williams forced his way back into the side when he returned to the club after a stint with English Super League side Catalans.

He is coming off arguably his best season in the NRL but insisted he is not perturbed at having to prove himself all over again.

"We're really lucky we've signed Aidan, he's a great player and it really puts the pressure on everyone to perform," Williams said.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to challenge myself and learn about Aidan and his game, and push each other so we can be the best we can be.

"We've got another few months of these questions but that's the way it is. We're lucky to have him here and it's good for the club.

"He's got a really good left boot and obviously myself and Blake are both right-footers, it adds a different dynamic."

Williams backed the signing of veteran prop Jeff Lima, who he played alongside at Catalans with another Raiders recruit Elliott Whitehead.

Lima is expected to arrive in Canberra within a fortnight, while back rower Whitehead will join him once he completes his commitments with England.

"I played with him [Lima] over there and he's a solid front rower who does all the little things really well," Williams said.

"He came out of that Melbourne system and you look at Whitey [former Raiders prop Brett White, now under-20s coach] and what he's brought to us in coaching the little things, Jeff is very similar.

"A lot of the time you may not notice what he does from the stands but as a playing group, he does everything right.

"I'm sure Boydy [Shannon Boyd], Vaughany [Paul Vaughan] and our young front rowers can learn a lot off him."