He might not feel like an NRL halfback, but Canberra utility Glen Buttriss is the latest to be entrusted with pulling the Raiders strings in Saturday's NRL qualifying final against Cronulla.

Buttriss was named in the No.7 jumper for the injury-ravaged Raiders, his only audition being a few minutes at first receiver in last Sunday's demolition of the Bulldogs.

"I played that role last week," Buttriss said.

"I started getting a little bit confident throughout the back end of the game.

"I'll just try and link up with Campo (five-eighth Terry Campese) a bit more this week.

"Hopefully I can do the job."

Buttriss only firmed as a regular first grader in the second half of the season following a string of season-ending injuries that forced coach Neil Henry into constant reshuffles.

The latest sees Buttriss go to halfback with skipper Alan Tongue returning to his customary position at lock and Ryan Hinchcliffe slotting in at hooker.

Henry says he expects the team to start as named.

"We've given Glen Buttriss his No.7 and Tongue his No.13, so we'll play that in the halves with Campo," Henry said.

"(Buttriss) doesn't mind running the ball as well and he jumped into dummy-half a couple of times, so it sort of gave Ryan Hinchcliffe a bit of a break given that he's out there for 80 minutes."

Marshall Chalk returns to the bench, the utility saying he would be right to play despite nursing a fractured left index finger.

"Going into the game there'll probably be another needle but it'll be right and I'll get through it," Chalk said.

"It's different to my thumb (injury). It's fractured in the joint, but certainly you can play with it, it's just a matter of going through a bit of pain."

In other team news Manly coach Des Hasler has named Jamie Lyon at five-eighth and Steve Matai in the centres for Saturday night's meeting with St George Illawarra, veteran forward Steve Menzies reverting back to the bench for what will be his last appearance at Brookvale Oval.

Jason Nightingale returns at fullback for the Dragons at the expense of Brett Morris, but there was no room in the starting line-up for Jamie Soward with Ben Rogers again preferred at five-eighth.

Soward will line up on a extended eight-man bench which also includes veteran hooker Simon Woolford.

Lopini Paea has been elevated to the run-on side for the Sydney Roosters' clash with Brisbane on Friday night following Willie Mason's season-ending knee injury, with Mickey Paea coming onto the bench.

Melbourne lock Dallas Johnson has been named to play the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday but is considered only a 50-50 chance of taking his place due to a knee injury.

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