The Canberra Raiders performed a back-end miracle in 2022 to scrape into the finals, and while they were assisted by the capitulation of the Brisbane Broncos, they will now look to 2023 as a year where they can control their own destiny.
The confidence of that run into the finals will have given Ricky Stuart's side wings heading into the new season.
But that doesn't mean this is just a simple march to the top eight for the Raiders.