Canberra coach Matthew Elliott steadfastly refuses to entertain talk of a minor premiership despite his side's undefeated start to the season.

The Raiders were four points clear at the top of the National Rugby League ladder after seven rounds.

And with a perfect six from six this year after Saturday night's 26-22 win over the Bulldogs, Canberra had a clear edge at the top of the ladder over four teams - Newcastle, Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane.

Of those four sides only Newcastle and Brisbane won on the weekend, with the Knights scoring a drama-packed 34-6 victory over Wests on Saturday night and the Broncos 20-14 win over Parramatta on Friday night.

The Roosters were beaten 24-20 by St George Illawarra in an Anzac Day thriller, while the Warriors were surprisingly upset by Penrith in Auckland, with the Panthers winning 28-14.

"I think it's a bit too premature," Elliott said of his side's chances of winning the club's first minor premiership since 1990.

"We don't need to be distracted by this sort of stuff."

The Raiders showed plenty of character to keep replying when the Bulldogs popped questions in a gripping clash at Canberra Stadium.

Fullback Clinton Schifcofske was at the heart of the win, finishing the match with two tries and pressing his claims for his second Queensland State of Origin jersey.

The Maroons will name a 22-man squad on May 6 which will go into camp for a night on May 10 before the opening Origin game on June 11.

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