Canberra are on the verge of a securing a significant recruitment win, with off-contract hooker Tom Starling poised to knock back interest from elsewhere and stay at the Raiders.

One week after Canberra lost halfback Jamal Fogarty to Manly for next season, AAP understands the Raiders are edging closer to a two-year deal with Starling.

The hooker has enjoyed arguably the best season of his 118-game NRL career, with the 26-year-old excelling as a starting No. 9.

Up until this season, Starling had mostly been used as an interchange option by Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.

But he has impressed while starting this year, with the Raiders' on-song spine firing to second on the ladder through the first third of the season.

Starling's strong showings as Canberra's first-choice dummy-half had also immediately created waves, attracting attention from at least two other clubs.

Despite that, it is understood he will opt to stick with Canberra on a deal that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

The extension would be a big win for Canberra, given Fogarty's decision to head to Manly next year will create changes in their spine.

Starling's own future at the Raiders had appeared clouded earlier this year when Canberra sealed a two-year deal for Newcastle rake Jayden Brailey for 2026 onwards.

The Green Machine also have highly-rated dummy-half Owen Pattie, who has impressed off the interchange bench this season, on their books.

Starling would have been able to command decent interest on the NRL's open market and was briefly linked to South Sydney before the Rabbitohs agreed a deal to sign Sydney Roosters No. 9 Brandon Smith.

The Roosters had already made a move for Reece Robson, whose current club North Queensland have yet to lock in a long-term hooking option.