Merritt is hopeful of returning before the season is out but the news is not so good for McDermott with the former Narromine Jet set for a long stint on the sideline, with recovery possibly taking up to 12 months. McDermott injured his knee during his side's loss to CYMS three weeks ago but only last week discovered its severity.

He said the news he wouldn't be playing for months on end came as a real blow.

"I hate watching footy at the best of times and after making the grand final with CYMS two years ago and then missing out all together with Narromine last year I was really looking forward to playing the semi-finals this season," he said.

"Obviously with an injury like this it doesn't matter what time of the year it happens, you're going to miss some footy but I'd never really had any bad injury problems before, apart from a couple of shoulder issues.

"But now I'll definitely be out for the rest of this year, I'm having the surgery in three weeks, just before the semis, so hopefully I can come back from it."

McDermott twinged his knee early in the match against CYMS while playing on the wing and while he attempted to stay out of action for the rest of the half he damaged it further when returning a kick from near his own in goal.

"There was no pain, it just didn't feel that strong so I tried to stay out of the play and I did that for about 20 minutes but then I tried to run around a few players and it just completely gave way, I expected the worst then," he said.

While losing McDermott is a huge blow for the rest of 2014 and potentially the early stages of 2015 the Raiders are also dealing with Merritt's injury worries.

The talented number seven had to helped off the field during the second half of Sunday's victory and now faces a race to be fit for the finals.

McDermott, who was running water for his side on Sunday, would have been a ready made replacement for Merritt but he's backed the club's depth to be able to cover it.

Eddie Gusuivalu is returning to regular action after a disrupted season while back-rower Perry Meredith is also nearing return after a shoulder complaint and expects to return after this weekend's well-timed bye.

"I was talking to him down the tunnel on Sunday and he didn't sound to confident," he said of Merritt.

"But Perry (Meredith) should be back and hopefully Eddie (Gusuivalu) can play halfback without 'Merro' or myself there.

"Chris Daley can play anywhere from one to seven and Eddie is pretty versatile but hopefully Josh (Merritt) can back on the field soon."