After taking aim at Gold Coast billionaire soccer club owner Clive Palmer, Titans coach John Cartwright will be hoping his NRL team backs up his words against the unpredictable Raiders on Friday night.

In a busy week Cartwright not only celebrated signing star halfback Scott Prince until 2014 but also ripped into brash-talking Palmer for remarks made earlier in the year.

Palmer upset Cartwright when he said the difference between his new A-League club and the Titans was that his team would win a premiership.

"I got involved (in the soccer club) because I wanted to have some fun and give the people of the Coast a sporting team that wins things," said Palmer in January.

Cartwright returned serve this week.

"People much prefer the humble approach than someone getting out there and shooting his mouth off," he said.

The Titans have silenced critics who said they couldn't win away from the Gold Coast with victories against Melbourne and the Cowboys on the road helping to ensure they share the premiership lead after five rounds.

They will shoot for a third straight win on Friday night against the unpredictable Raiders who have also found some form with back-to-back wins.

The game will see hard working hooker Nathan Friend and busy utility Brett Delaney become the first Titans players to reach 50 NRL games.

The pair have played all but four of the club's premiership games since they entered the competition in 2007.

"There's always rivalry between me and Frog (Delaney) but I'm just happy I can share it with someone," said Friend.

Prop Aaron Cannings has been ruled out with Michael Henderson returning from a groin injury.

Youngster Will Matthews comes onto the interchange bench.

"Hendo is getting back to form he showed before his injury and Will Matthews is a guy I expect big things from," said Cartwright.

Canberra's big pack and their ability to throw the football around will test to Titans' defence.

"It will be a big job stopping them around the ruck area, they've got some massive men in there and the last two weeks have shown they're a bit of a dark horse in the competition," said Cartwright.

"They get written off at the start of every year but anyone who knows their game knows when they're on their game they are very hard to stop."

Canberra have stuck with the same squad that beat the Sharks last weekend with young Dane Tilse added as 18th man for the trip north.

Coach David Furner will decide before the clash if Alan Tongue again starts at hooker after the tactic worked in the past two games.

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