The teams met in the final round of the regular season with the Raiders winning 38-28 despite resting almost their entire first-grade side.

As well as England international Bateman, skipper Jarrod Croker, star prop Josh Papalii and halves Jack Wighton and George Williams are all set to return for the 2019 grand finalists.

Second-rower Bateman hyper-extended his elbow the week prior against the Warriors but said he was good to go against the Sharks in a massive boost for the hosts in the must-win match.

"It feels pretty good," Bateman said.

"If I really wanted to I could have played last week but the physios and doctors said to give it the week off and give it some rest coming into this week.

"A week off might not seem like much, but it was a week to rest and freshen up and we just can't wait to get out there.

Win or lose it will be Bateman's last hurrah in Canberra, with the 26-year-old returning home to play in England after this season.

Melbourne, who rested a dozen stars from their round 20 loss to St George Illawarra, have all of their key men back on deck to face Parramatta on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium in their top-four showdown.

Rugby-bound winger Suliasi Vunivalu has overcome a hamstring injury after a similar injury hampered his finals campaign last year.

Centre Brenko Lee, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Tom Eisenhuth and Nicho Hynes will play their first NRL finals if they make the Storm's 17.

Tui Kamikamica will miss the match after accepting a one-game suspension.

Australian Associated Press