Siliva Havili has "a lot more left in the tank for NRL footy" and he has revealed the driving force behind his desire to earn a new contract with the Canberra Raiders.
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Havili joined the Raiders on a one-year deal to fill the void left by star hooker Josh Hodgson and he is one of 13 players coming off-contract at the end of the season.
But Havili's eyes are locked on a new deal and he will have his daughter Mausia on his mind when he pulls on the lime green jersey to face the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Josh Papalii is another playing nearing the end of his deal and he hopes his future will be sorted "pretty soon" as a host of rival clubs circle the State of Origin incumbent.
More than half of Canberra's starting side is off-contract at the end of the year - by no means unusual in the NRL landscape - and Havili is desperate to repay the club that gave him an NRL lifeline.
"[Mausia] is keeping me settled and keeping me focused on what I need to do, especially with the position I’m in with the one-year contract, she gives me the extra drive so that’s always good," Havili said.
"[A contract extension is] the goal, that’s another goal. I know I’ve got a lot more left in the tank for NRL footy and I want to let the footy do the talking and everything will play out by itself.
"That’s another goal, and as I keep playing good footy all that stuff will take care of itself. Hopefully some things do come into play and I’ll get the opportunity to get a new contract for the club.
"Hopefully that comes along soon and presents itself from my footy."
Havili has impressed in Canberra's No. 9 jersey as the club fills the void left by Hodgson, with the English rake not due back until at least round 16 for a clash with the Brisbane Broncos.
Havili played a vital role in Canberra's drought-breaking win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville in a game he hopes will be a turning point in their season.
"I’m really grateful for the club. When this opportunity came up I only had one shot at it, so I’m grateful the club has given me this opportunity," Havili said.
"But at the same time, I can work alongside some of the boys and it’s at that time and stage when I’m knowing more of the boys and how they play, and how to react, what to do and what not to do.
"I’m just grateful for the club, Stick, the staff and the confidence give me to play. To be five (losses) and three (wins), obviously we want to be better but we’ll just have to keep turning up every week and hopefully keep bringing home the two points."
While Havili admits the Raiders could have been better at times during a rocky start to the season he believes a win over North Queensland can "definitely" spark a turnaround.
It begins on home soil as the Raiders look to repress the memory of their round one capitulation against the Gold Coast - the game that kicked off a nightmare opening month.
"We’ve been really inconsistent with a few things in our game and it is something that we must build on and not take for granted what we do have as a career," Havili said.
"Backing it up every week, that’s what is important in our game. The consistency part is a big thing for us. This win won’t mean much if we don’t back it up next week so hopefully we bring the same mindset, the same aggression, and the same game plan that suits us."
NRL ROUND NINE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, 3pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
