Raiders halfback Sam Williams isn't focused on his imminent internal battle with Titans recruit Aidan Sezer, but doesn't want to be viewed as a back-up player next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Williams was absolutely brilliant in Saturday's 44-22 win against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium, the 24-year-old having a hand in four tries and displaying poise and composure with his kicking game to keep the Knights on the back foot.
The Raiders suddenly find themselves with the welcome headache of trying to fit three quality halves into two positions next season.
Five-eighth Blake Austin has been a revelation since joining the Raiders from the Wests Tigers and has a lock on the No.6 jersey.
Sezer was earmarked as his long-term halves partner, but the outstanding form of Williams shows the Cooma product won't give up his spot without a fight.
"I'm sure I'm going to be asked the same questions right up until February 29 next year," Williams said.
"I don't want to be seen as just depth, I want to be putting my hand up to be that No.7. That's something I'll worry about in about nine months' time."
Sezer showed his class with a man of the match performance for the Titans in their 27-20 victory against the Wests Tigers on Friday night.
The Raiders have been assured Sezer won't renege on his three-year contract.
The Raiders have won five of the seven games this season Williams has played while they have a 16.66 per cent winning record without him.
Williams played his first three seasons in the NRL with the Raiders before spending last year with the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
He started off this year in the NSW Cup before being recalled in round five.
"It's easy to be disappointed and that's natural, but I just wanted to make sure I went out there and played well," Williams said.
"The Mounties coaching staff and the club are really good to us and you don't want to go out there and let them down either.
"That's what I could control, we won our first four games and I was rewarded to get back into the team.
"It's a different style of football in the Super League, I enjoyed my stint at the Dragons and I picked up things I might not have if I stayed at the one club."
The only games Williams has missed was when he sat out two weeks to recover from a collapsed lung.
Williams has played 53 first-grade games and is signed with the Raiders until the end of next year.
During the commentary of the Knights game, former Kangaroos halfback Greg Alexander noted Williams has "got everything in his game, we just need to see it more often".
"A couple of years ago when I was here, I was still only 22, and I was still trying to learn the game," Williams said.
"Over the last 18 months I've had the opportunity to work with some really good players and different coaches and I'm always trying to improve my game.
"I've always been conscious of going to the line and running the football, but within this team we've got really good ball runners, so it's important I get the team around and get good last tackle options."
Austin scored two tries against the Knights, but said the role Williams played in his own form couldn't be understated.
"He was the hero today," Austin said. "It's easy to get carried away with two tries, but he's the one who keeps me calm and settles me down. It's what the team needs."
