More than 1300 fans completed this year's Canberra Times fans survey and they were not only happy with 2016, but pretty positive about what the future holds under coach Ricky Stuart.

On the back of a year where they finished the home-and-away season second and fell just two points short of a grand final berth, the fans can't wait for what's in store for the future.

The Raiders' ranking out of 10 continued its climb to 8.69, up from 6.5 last season and more than six higher than 2014 when they finished second last.

Expectations for 2017 are even higher.

Team performance

A majority of fans gave the Raiders a nine out of 10 for their season – not surprising given they were the big improvers of the NRL.

While most were surprised with the Green Machine's re-emergence as premiership contenders, apparently 16 per cent of Raiders fans were "dancing with the fairies".

That's the number who claim they weren't surprised. Even Stuart didn't think Canberra would have the season they did and said after the preliminary final loss to the Melbourne Storm that anyone who did think it would happen should have their dancing boots on.

Now expectations have gone to another level – 94 per cent think the Green Machine can win their fourth premiership next year, almost half thought reaching the grand final was a pass mark for 2017 and 92 per cent said they'd finish top four.

And Stuart is the man to end a 22-year premiership drought.

He's silenced the critics this year, bringing together a group of players from around the world to become the best attacking team in the competition that can beat anyone in the competition – 97 per cent of fans thought he was the right man to lead the Raiders to the title.

Given their potency with the ball, it wasn't surprising that defence was the area most people thought the Raiders needed to improve – although that was hardly a weakness in the second half of 2016.

Not only have they improved on the field, but off it as well, with 80 per cent saying they'd improved their image as a community organisation.

Whether it's their spiritual leader Sia Soliola, wanna-be-bus-driver Blake Austin or the kids that inspire Josh Papalii, they're a team that works tirelessly for the community as well.

Give us our prelim

Raiders fans weren't happy when Fairfax Media revealed the Raiders couldn't host a preliminary final at Canberra Stadium – even if they earned the right.

It's an outdated rule the Raiders have vowed to fight to change before next year and one the fans say must go, with 97 per cent calling on the NRL to make the change.

But if the NRL cold-heartedly refuse to budge, then 74 per cent of the loyal Green Machine supporters said they'd still go to Sydney to watch the Raiders try and win a grand final berth.

While the broadcasters have shunned the Raiders from Friday night TV for years, the punters would rather home games were in the afternoon.

Given Canberra's climate you can hardly blame them, with 40 per cent saying Sunday afternoon was the best time to go to Canberra Stadium and 38 per cent opting for Saturday.

Spread the Viking Clap

The Raiders fans created what Stuart described as the best atmosphere he'd ever experienced in rugby league.

It was so good it made Cronulla hooker Michael Ennis and the Sharks fans so jealous they wanted to join in.

About 37 per cent of fans rated the Viking Clap as their highlight of the season – with captain Jarrod Croker breaking the Raiders' all-time point-scoring record second with 23.

More than half want it to be done before every home game, with another 37 per cent saying it should be done at every game at Canberra Stadium where there's a big crowd.

Season highlights

Given soon-to-be New Zealand winger Jordan Rapana set a Raiders record for tries scored in a season, it's not surprising that he scored the best three tries of the year.

He was on the receiving end of an around-the-back flick pass from centre Joey Leilua that would've made the Harlem Globetrotters salivate.

Rapana's resulting try in round 26 against the Wests Tigers got 40 per cent of the vote as best try.

His touching down of a Josh Hodgson kick following the star hooker's mazy run against the Sharks was second with 25, and Rapana's freakish match-winner against the Newcastle Knights was third with 21.

The Raiders' 22-8 victory over the Storm in round 23 was rated their best win of the season – when they showed the could throw in resolute defence to complement their explosive attack.

More than half of fans were sorry to see Sam Williams leave, while prop Paul Vaughan – who looks likely to depart the Raiders despite have a year to run on his contract – was voted the best player who couldn't secure a spot.

Hodgson was not only a clear winner as best forward, but also as the Green Machine's best player – although most fans thought Stuart was the key to the Raiders tasting premiership success rather than the England international.

If the fans are proven right, then success is just around the corner.