Surprise NRL frontrunners Gold Coast can swiftly prove they're the real deal on two fronts by overcoming their mid-season moment of truth at the club's Canberra graveyard.

Round 17 has been the start of the end for the fledgling Titans in their first two years and they will once again approach it with a severely-undermanned outfit at Canberra Stadium, the scene of two of their worst three losses.

John Cartwright's men were trounced 46-4 in 2008 and 56-10 in 2007 in the national capital amid late-season capitulations when the Titans won just two of their last 10 games.

Both years they were in the thick of the top-eight action come round 17 losses before fading badly as injuries and an inability to win on the road took their toll.

Cartwright on Monday admitted he will be missing close to half of his first-choice starting side for the chilly assignment.

Five-eighth Mat Rogers must pass a late-week fitness test but he appears the only injured player a possibility to return with Chris Walker on Sunday afternoon.

Co-captain Luke Bailey (arm), Ashley Harrison (ribs), Mark Minichiello (ankle) and Luke O'Dwyer (ankle) are all unavailable, while prop Michael Henderson (hand) is in doubt.

But the coach staunchly believed his team, joint leaders with the Bulldogs and Dragons, could continue to exorcise their demons due to more confidence and a better attitude.

The Titans have done well shaking two big monkeys in 2009, consistently winning away from their Skilled Park fortress and triumphing without playmaking captain Scott Prince.

Although the Raiders are once again riding high after a 26-16 upset of Melbourne, Cartwright said his own side's 28-12 win over the Warriors had them in a confident head space.

"You can't go down there with anything but that attitude, if you don't (Canberra) will get you," he said.

"The last couple of years we've been down on troops and our confidence down and got our tails kicked so it's nice to go down there with some sort of form and a different mood behind us.

"But it's really a tough ask down there and we'll be down on troops again - I don't think we'll get many back this week - so we'll be relying on a lot of the kids again."

Young wingers David Mead and Kevin Gordon were among the best against the Warriors, scoring four of their five tries.

The Titans took a "100 per cent" policy into the clash with the Kiwis and will do the same for Canberra.

"The Raiders are a very similar side, a very physical, big side and it's not the type of conditions where you can carry an injury into the game," Cartwright said.

"They're skilful, they've got pace and plenty of size and guys pushing for Origin (selection).

"They beat Melbourne on the weekend and their confidence is up so it's going to be a battle.

"They are (a different beast at home), they're used to the conditions down there and they like Sunday afternoons but it's all about us."

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