An off-season injury to Raiders back-up hooker Kurt Baptiste has opened the door for Adam Clydsdale to build on his four-game career with Canberra.
PNG international Baptiste ruptured his left achilles tendon during a casual training session only two weeks into the start of the green machine's pre-season.
Should Ricky Stuart choose to play another rake behind Josh Hodgson, the 24-year-old is doing everything right to put himself in the frame and prove to the coach he can help build on Canberra's successful 2016 season.
"With Kurt being injured there is opportunity so I will keep my head down and work hard," Clydsdale told NRL.com.
"It's disappointing for him but hopefully he can get back on the park for us.
"We're all good mates and we always do extras together to help each other out.
"I can add a bit of energy and play off the back of Hodgo (Josh Hodgson) and our forwards if needed."
While the talk for the last three months is how the Raiders will go this season after last year's finals exit, Clydsdale said the team preferred to focus on the moment at hand.
"Our focus is just about being better than yesterday. Each day is a new day and obviously the big picture is the premiership but we haven't thought that far ahead yet," he said.
"We've got three tough games straight up and to go up there Round 1 in Townsville will be a test early."
Being told to leave by current Knights coach Nathan Brown at the end of the 2015 season was hard for Clydsdale to take at first, having 40 matches for his hometown club since making his NRL debut in 2013.
However, now a year on, and the Scone Thoroughbred product is not looking back after settling into Canberra life a lot easier than he expected.
"I thought it was going to be hard because you only know one club, but I came down here and straight away all the people just make you feel welcome so that made it a lot easier," he said.
"It's a good club with good people and guys like Ricky Stuart are great.
"My partner and I are loving it.
Off the field and Clydsdale is already preparing for life after football as he continues to work on a project that's been with him before his move to the Nation's capital.
"I'm still trying to finish my carpentry apprenticeship but it's tough with pre-season and so much going on but one day hopefully I can get it done."
