While Australia coach Mal Meninga can't be there, he'll have an eye on how the Raiders props rise to the occasion ahead of the Anzac Test.

It will be the Raiders' second reunion, with a host of their past players - including Steve Walters - getting together for an Alan Tongue-hosted function for the clash against the Parramatta Eels.

They'll form a human tunnel as the current players run back out onto the field for the second half.

It's all part of Raiders coach Ricky Stuart's plan to reconnect the current Canberra crop with the past, which included the golden era of three premierships in the late 80s and early 90s.

Both Stuart and Canberra captain Jarrod Croker felt the past players would help them lift against the Eels - not a good thought for a Parramatta side that has only won once at Canberra Stadium since 2000.

The Green Machine certainly lifted last season for the inaugural Forever Green reunion when they thumped Wests Tigers 60-6.

They would go on to win 14 of their last 17 games of the regular season in a return to finals footy.

Stuart said the "old boys" were proud of the way his current team fought out games and represented the lime green jersey.

"I know they do [get a lift]. I'll be speaking again to the players about the reunion this morning," he said.

"It was an exciting weekend last year and I'm sure it will be this year and I'm looking forward to the dinner on Saturday night with all the old boys."

Croker shared similar sentiment about the boost it gave the current playing group.

He said his team "fed off" having the past players there and would be playing for them when they ran out onto the ground.

With the Raiders only winning one of their opening four rounds, Croker said it was "nearly desperate" they got their second win on the board.

Canberra sits one win outside of the top eight, but face a tricky trip to the Gold Coast to play the Titans next week.

"It's nearly desperate for us. Although we're playing decent footy, we're only one and [three] so we need to win tomorrow night and get the ball rolling," Croker said.

Meninga won't be able to make this year's reunion, but said it wasn't just an opportunity for the past players to get together and reminisce about the good old days.

It also made them feel like they were "part of the inner sanctum" again.

He felt it was important for the current players to understand the history of the club as well.

Meninga will take interest in the performance of a raft of players in the match as the clock ticks down to the final Anzac Test, which will be played between the Kangaroos and Kiwis at Canberra Stadium on May 5.

Two of those will be Raiders big boppers Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo.

Boyd was part of Meninga's triumphant Four Nations side last year, while both Boyd and Paulo were named in Laurie Daley's NSW Blues emerging squad.

Meninga has been impressed with the pair so far this season, although his coach's mentality thought they could always do better.

He said Matt Scott's season-ending knee meant the duo were right in the mix for next month's Test.

"With international footy there's 10 replacements so you can actually rotate those players pretty well, the big fellas who have got greater leg speed and are pretty hard to pull down," he said.

"I'd like to see [Boyd] play a bit better obviously. Talk to Ricky and he'd probably want to see him play a bit better too.

"But I hold a view we were so successful in the Four Nations with that squad, the team that played in the Four Nations would take precedence over other selections.

"He's [Junior] in the Blues squad as well, the train-on squad, he's got a big motor on him, as has Shannon.

"The more games they play the better they're going to get those big fellas, there's no doubt about that."

NRL ROUND FIVE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm. Tickets from Ticketek.

Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson , 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Sia Soliola, 13. Clay Priest. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Dave Taylor, 17. Joe Tapine. Reserves: 18. Jordan Turner, 20. Dunamis Lui.

Eels squad: 1. Bevan French, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Josh Hoffman, 6. Clint Gutherson, 7. Corey Norman, 8. Suaia Matagi, 9. Kaysa Pritchard, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma'u, 16. Frank Pritchard, 13. Beau Scott (c). Interchange: 14. Nathan Brown, 15. Daniel Alvaro, 18. David Gower. Reserves: 19. Peni Terepo, 20. Jeff Robson.