In all his 35 years in rugby league Ricky Stuart has never seen an NRL ladder so congested.
Just three wins separate first from 12th, with a couple of wins or losses potentially making or breaking Canberra's season.
Last year the Raiders flew home from a 2-6 start to crack the top eight before winning a final, but this time they're trying to hold off a string of contenders nipping at their heels.
And that includes the ninth-placed Gold Coast on Saturday.
Acknowledging the Titans were in the same position as his side was last season, Stuart recognises the importance of knocking off a nearby rival at GIO Stadium.
I've never seen...