The Canberra Raiders are sweating on the fitness of star fullback Josh Dugan for Sunday’s elimination semi-final against the Cronulla Sharks.
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But halfback Sam Williams rates himself a good chance of overcoming a shoulder injury in time to take to Canberra Stadium for his finals debut.
Dugan didn’t make the flight to Auckland last Friday, staying in Canberra after rolling his ankle in a training session the previous day.
It’s the same ankle that forced the NSW representative to miss three games with a high-level strain suffered in the round 16 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.
The injury is understood not to be as serious this time, and the Raiders are hopeful Dugan will return to face the Sharks.
Reece Robinson performed admirably in his place, giving the defence plenty of headaches when he ran the ball to the line and created chances for not only himself, but his outside men.
Williams trained with the Raiders on Saturday morning, but was given another week to recover from an AC shoulder joint injury suffered in the win against the Bulldogs the week before.
“I could feel it pinching a little bit so it wasn’t right to go this week,’’ he said.
‘’But next weekend it’ll be a pretty good chance of being right.’’
Williams had formed a strong combination with five-eighth Josh McCrone after being recalled to the side in round 17.
Coincidentally, the Raiders have won eight of their past 10 games since that time to book their spot in the playoffs, their place confirmed when the Tigers lost to the Storm on Saturday night.
“When we found out we were playing finals footy last night, it was a bit surreal at the time,’’ Williams said.
“You watched all the finals when you were a young fella.
“To be a part of the best part of the year is very exciting.’’
Williams’s injury enabled veteran utility Shaun Berrigan to start his first game at halfback since 2007.
Used either in the centres or at dummy-half this season with the Raiders, the former Kangaroos and Maroons representative didn’t miss a beat alongside McCrone.
Raiders coach David Furner conceded he couldn’t afford any more injuries as replacements were scarce.
Dimitri Pelo held his own on the wing, while Travis Waddell was a late addition as the second hooker on the bench.
“We’re at bare bones,’’ he said.
“The guys that came in did a good job.’’
