By Alex Mitchell in Canberra

JORDAN Rapana jokes he’ll be tackling opponents around the ankles for the rest of his career when he returns from his latest NRL suspension.

Fresh from completing a three-game ban for a shoulder charge that flattened North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater, Canberra winger Rapana admitted he was “filthy” with himself for letting his teammates down as they slipped to 1-3 for the season.

It’s far from Rapana’s first run-in with the match review committee. It was his fourth suspension in little over a year while he narrowly missed another ban for a high shot on Wests Tigers’ Adam Doueihi in this year’s trials.

But the 33-year-old gave credit to the NRL for consistency with high-shot bans this season and said it was his responsibility to take extra caution when tackling to avoid further suspension.

“I’m filthy with myself for letting the team down, getting suspended… I’ll be doing everything I can to play my guts out for the boys,” he said.

“I’ll be tackling around the ankles for the rest of my career.

“The one thing I can give them credit for is them being consistent. I thought three matches for a grade one (shoulder charge) was a bit harsh, but the last four rounds they’ve been very consistent with it.

“The majority of high shots, they’re accidental, but we just got to make sure we’re approaching tackles with a bit more caution.”

While Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton (suspended) joins injured trio Xavier Savage, Nick Cotric and Danny Levi on the sidelines, Rapana’s return is a boost for a young Raiders backline yet to truly find its feet in 2023.

His yardage work has been missed, having churned out 118 metres per game last season to go with his six tries.

“(I’m) keen as. It’s been tough the last few weeks, especially on the weekend watching the boys in the loss,” Rapana said.

“I’m frustrated with myself and just excited to get back out there and help the boys get a win.

“It gave me time to get my body (fit), I’m getting pretty old now and (my) body got a good rest.

“I’ve just got to keep my nose clean now and play some good footy.”