There's so Much Excitement Around the Finals: Earl

[Chase94]

Raider Williams with shoulder niggles

Canberra halfback Sam Williams rates himself a 50/50 chance of playing in Sunday's crunch NRL match with the Warriors, but it's not for lack of trying.

Desperate to help the Raiders clinch a finals spot, Williams has been with the physios every day and at the acupuncturist in a bid to get his strained shoulder back to working condition.

Injuring it in the Raiders' 34-6 victory over Canterbury last weekend, he is potentially the only player from that line-up not to back up against the Warriors.

Williams, whose halves partnership with Josh McCrone was brilliant against the Bulldogs, has another two days before a final contact session on Saturday after which selectors will make their decision.

"I think it's still probably 50/50 at the moment," Williams said on Thursday.

"But every day, it's getting better."

Veteran utility back Shaun Berrigan is on standby should Williams not pull through.

Canberra, seventh on the ladder and still in the hunt for a home semi, have a poor 1-8 win record at Mt Smart Stadium over the past decade.

But their four-match winning streak - and the Warriors' run of seven straight losses - suggests it's a record the Raiders can improve upon.

But winger Sandor Earl denied complacency was a concern, with the Raiders mathematically still a chance of missing out of the top eight.

"Some people might say we fall into that (complacency) sometimes, but the boys are carrying so much confidence and there's so much excitement around the finals," Earl said.

"And the fact that we could get a home semi, I really think that's going to drive us this game."

Earlier in the week, assistant coach Justin Morgan conceded the team line-up could be revised to rest injured players should their playoff spot be secure by kick-off time.

But Williams said hopefully it was a null issue.

"It's very important that last game before the finals to have that continuity within the side, so hopefully it's alright and we don't have to worry about resting it anyway."

Source: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/raider-williams-with-shoulder-niggles-20120830-252yv.html