Mid-season acquisition: Ex-Eels prop Junior Paulo is tackled during the round 21 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders. Credit:Getty Images On two occasions, officials at League Central had told the Raiders it would be easier if they just "withered on the vine". I'd been told something similar by a highly-placed official who shall remain nameless. "It would be much easier if Canberra wasn't in the competition," he told me. "I'd [expletive] them off tomorrow if I could." Stuart's walkout that night sent a clear message to Greenberg, who was head of football then and is chief executive now. Why should he promote the game, when some at the NRL would prefer they weren't there?

Playmaker: Aidan Sezer looks for support during the round 21 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium. Credit:Mark Nolan Some of those officials have left the NRL, which is a shame because the Raiders' football is now sending a message, too. Canberra are third on the ladder. A top-four finish is theirs to lose. They play the two sides above them – the Sharks and Storm – in the next two rounds and then we will know for sure just how serious this reawakening is. The redeemer: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart runs a training session. Credit:Rohan Thomson More than that, the Raiders are the side everyone wants to win aside from their own. The side everyone wants to watch because of the breathtaking way they play.

Sometimes, it can be frustrating. Sometimes, you're half-expecting Stuart to rip off the big puffy jacket he wears as he watches from the sidelines and burst onto the field and let the inner-halfback take over. Captain leading by example: Jarrod Croker. Credit:Mark Nolan Mostly, though, what's developing in the nation's capital is the rugby league story of the year. Forget about the ongoing shit-fight about the Bunker and what's wrong with Souths and whatever Jason Taylor may or may not do with Robbie Farah. Stuart's side represents all that's good about footy. Good things happening to good people. How often does it happen? They were the game's battlers not that long ago.

They had mugs sitting on rooftops drinking Cruisers, players from other clubs reneging on contracts, claims of nepotism in the front office and a belief throughout League Central it was time to wheel the Green Machine into the garage and turn off the light, handing over the footy fertile ACT and Riverina regions to the AFL forever. It is impossible to pinpoint the turnaround. In reality, footy departments often fumble around in the dark, trying to find what works best. But Stuart deserves much of the credit. If his side finishes in the top four, the achievement would almost surpass his debut coaching season when he steered the Roosters to the premiership in 2002. Think back to 2014. When Stuart left Parramatta and joined the club where he wore the lime green Woodger's jumper with distinction in the 1980s and '90s, some wondered if chief executive Don Furner had gone mad.

To some, it was seen as an insular decision. Another job for the boys after Furner had been forced to sack his brother, David, amid a player revolt. The price tag of $1 million per season was inflated by the media, but Stuart did not come cheap. Late in that first season, Stuart's frustration with a squad he did not want was there for all to see. He looked like he was chewing nails at his media conferences. Furner was forced to fend away claims and calls to sack him. Any coach will tell you it takes time to develop the squad they want. Stuart never got it at the Sharks, which was broke. He never got it at Parramatta, which was … well, it was Parramatta. Furner had already made the brave call to get rid of Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson before he arrived, but according to those within the Raiders one of the key differences in the past 18 months is a squad of young family men less concerned about having a good time as winning footy matches.

For so long, the Raiders have struggled to attract players to an inland city that's bitterly cold in winter, oppressively hot in summer and nowhere near a beach and poncy Double Bay nightclub. They have felt more recruitment and retention heartache than any other club. It invested much time and effort into Anthony Milford and then Brisbane snatched him; James Tedesco and Kevin Proctor were coming but then reneged after agreeing to terms; Josh Mansour and Mick Ennis decided at the 11th hour not to come. Now, slowly but surely, they are building a future. For mine, there are a few standout players I cannot get enough of. Five-eighth Blake Austin – a bench player at Wests Tigers not that long ago – is receiving many plaudits but Aidan Sezer has come of age. An organising halfback, who knows how to grubber into the in-goal and sniff out a repeat set ... they're a rare commodity in the modern game. Iosia Soliola has turned back the clock, and according to those within the club the proud Samoan back-rower has been a guiding influence on the Polynesian players, including Josh Papalii.

BJ Leilua is an animal. Something happens every time Jordan Rapana comes anywhere near the ball. And Jack Wighton smashed two Warriors players so hard a few weeks ago in the last line of defence at fullback I rewound it on IQ and watched it several times. Loading A year ago, some at the NRL wanted Canberra gone. Now, they should be doing all they can to lobby governments and help find a roof for GIO Stadium and make it an all-weather stadium. [Expletive] them off tomorrow? Why the [expletive] would you want to do that?