So the calls to sack Ricky have started.

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But maybe it's time for some Canberra Raiders fans to take a chill pill.

Yes, it's been a disappointing season from the Green Machine - especially after the expectations created by last year's drought-breaking minor premiership.

And yes, it's not good enough to be sitting second-last on the NRL ladder - facing the highly likely prospect of becoming the first minor premiers to miss the play-offs the following season since the Sydney Roosters in 2016.

But even that's not as bad as it seems - the Raiders would actually be 14th if it wasn't for the NRL's ridiculous two points for the bye malarky.

It doesn't mean the pressure's not on Canberra to ensure they don't do the unthinkable this weekend - and lose to the cellar-dwelling St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

Even this struggling Raiders side has to be beating the Dragons.

But there are mitigating factors for coach Ricky Stuart and his Green Machine.

The biggest - and most obvious - is the loss of halfback Jamal Fogarty (Manly), with young No.7 Ethan Sanders taking his place.

Raiders fans were loving Sanders in round one when he kicked the winning field goal against the Sea Eagles, but there's now calls for him to get a rest in NSW Cup.

Presumably, fans calling for that want 20-year-old Coby Black to make his NRL debut in Sanders' place.

That would make an already young Canberra spine even younger.

The Green Machine's starting hooker, halfback, five-eighth and fullback in the loss to Melbourne had an average age of just 22........

© Canberra Times