Canberra star Terry Campese has stirred the memory of humiliation handed out last season as the Raiders prepare to face resurgent Penrith.

When the two team's last met in August, the Panthers were left licking their wounds following a 74-12 drubbing.

Five eighth Campese led the charge, scoring four tries and kicking 10 goals to come within two points of Canberra legend Mal Meninga's club record of 38 points in a game.

Much has changed ahead of Saturday's match at Canberra Stadium with the Panthers finally back on the prowl and their coach Matt Elliott signed to a new contract this week amid some positive results and plenty of positive vibes.

However, Campese dismissed talk of a threatening Penrith forward pack led by captain Petero Civoniceva and in-form Trent Waterhouse.

"The only thing that plays on my mind is the game we beat them in last year," Campese told reporters in Canberra.

"Hopefully we can repeat that and go out there and get a good score on them."

Given the history between the two teams, Canberra have every reason to be confident.

The green machine have won seven of their last eight meetings and Penrith haven't been victorious in the nation's capital since 2004.

But the Panthers are riding high after notching up a resounding 34-20 defeat of high-flying Gold Coast on Monday, while the Raiders are struggling to find consistent form.

The home side will also be without suspended forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and prop Troy Thompson, who re-injured his knee in his team's loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Coach David Furner said the side would be buoyed by the return of prop Scott Logan and the recovery of Campese and captain Alan Tongue from a nasty virus.

Youngster Josh McCrone will combine with Campese again after a solid performance at halfback on debut in round seven.

"There are a few things he needs to develop but I thought for the first game the combination between him and Campese was good," Furner said.

"The times there that he needed to shift to Campo or vice versa were quite promising but again he's a player that's got a good opportunity and (we are) looking forward to him improving this week as well."

Prop Dane Tilse, who has been named on the Raiders bench, said the battle against Penrith would be fought up front.

"We're going to have to be strong, they've got a big pack of forwards so we're going to have to aim up this week," he said.

"They've got some experienced props there with Civoniceva and Waterhouse.

"If we are strong on them then the halves won't have too much time to move."

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