Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva is viewing the Panthers' tough run to the NRL finals as a blessing rather than a burden heading into Sunday's crucial match with Canberra.

The Panthers sit in eighth and must overcome one of the most difficult draws of any team if they are to reach the finals for the first time since 2004.

They face the 10th-placed Raiders at Canberra on Sunday and must also play joint leaders Manly and Melbourne, as well as the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland in their final five games.

But Civoniceva believes the matches will help galvanise his side for finals if they prove they are good enough to be there.

"If we do get there it's going to be on the back of having to fight really hard for it because the run home is not an easy one," Civoniceva said.

"But in saying that it could be a good thing in that we can see where we're at against a couple of the tough teams in the comp."

The Panthers gained an insight into where they were at last week when they were trounced by the Sea Eagles 30-10 at Brookvale Oval but Civoniceva viewed the loss more as a learning experience, particularly for the side's younger players.

"The main topic of conversation since the game has been control and being able to maintain a high level of intensity for the whole 80 minutes," Civoniceva said.

"All of us are under no illusions that that wasn't their most devastating performance.

"There were times there, I think (coach) Matty (Elliott) said, that they were toying with us a bit.

"It makes us realise the level that we have to get to in order to be competitive."

Sunday's match is a crucial one for both sides with a win possibly lifting either side to as high as sixth and a loss dropping them as low as 13th.

Panthers halfback Luke Lewis is still in doubt and will undergo a late fitness test following his sickening head clash with Steve Matai last week.

Canberra prop Scott Logan, originally ruled out with a knee injury, could be a late inclusion while the Raiders also welcome back Josh Miller from a minor knee injury.

The hard-working forward replaces Ryan Hinchcliffe, who may be out for the season after he re-broke his thumb in Sunday afternoon's loss to Brisbane.

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