The Canberra Raiders' season is still alive - for now at least.

They're in for a tough wait until the top eight is set, but they've ticked off the first objective.

The Raiders are on the verge of their biggest home crowd average in 22 years and will look into a Queanbeyan homecoming.

Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says they haven't been unlucky, they simply haven't been good enough.

They might be the Canberra Raiders' bogey team, but Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown is wary of a backlash.

He's past the 50 NRL game mark, now Canberra Raiders forward Joe Tapine says there's no excuses.

On the one hand he'll use the freak four-pointer as inspiration, but on the other points differential could be crucial.

The NRL wanting to gain access to their bank account and phone records as part of the new collective bargaining agreement.

Austin pointed out NRL referee Ashley Klein was someone's son, and potentially someone's father.

But Josh Papalii confident it won't happen again as they look to keep slight finals hopes alive.

Former Knights winger James McManus has claimed a significant early victory in his legal battle to prove the club was negligent in its handling of a series of concussions that ended his career.

Melbourne rookie Brodie Croft gave a glimpse of life after Cooper Cronk with a hat-trick of tries in the Storm's minor premiership-clinching win against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.

Lawyers acting for James McManus are seeking the medical records of former Newcastle players Richie Fa'aoso and Robbie Rochow as part of the former State of Origin winger's landmark concussion case.

The Newcastle Knights are poised to collect a six-figure transfer fee after agreeing to release English import Joe Wardle from the final two years of his contract.

Parramatta Eels fans could be forgiven for thinking they were watching rugby union on Thursday night after a controversial refereeing decision contributed to the end of their six-game winning streak.

Newcastle will be without their leading tryscorer, fullback Nathan Ross, for the rest of the NRL season after he suffered a broken bone in his back in Saturday's win against the Warriors.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney sensationally accused his players of not trying hard enough and of lacking effort and conviction after a big loss to Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, promising consequences as soon as Sunday morning.

Mitchell Pearce and Blake Ferguson have smiles back on their faces after a successful return to club football.

The salvation of the Newcastle Knights lies in the hands of 120,000 Wests Group members.