For the Raiders rookie "honestly couldn't see" himself forcing his way back into Ricky Stuart's 17-man squad for the NRL finals.

Guler has played 10 first grade games this season - the past three of them have come in succession.

It is a run that has him within reach of a maiden grand final appearance as the Raiders prepare to take on the Sydney Roosters at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

Playing on rugby league's biggest stage has Guler far removed from where he was a month ago.

He hadn't played an NRL game in five weeks and looked as though he would struggle to get a start before being called into a depleted Raiders outfit on the eve of the finals.

A week later he had leapfrogged Englishman Ryan Sutton to take his place in the squad for a qualifying final and he has stayed there since.

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"Honestly I didn't see it at times, but I just keep my mentality right, trying to focus on my next job. I honestly couldn't see it, but I'm excited," Guler said.

"I just had an attitude where I was thinking I've got to do my best week in, week out at training and play good, so if the opportunity arises, I will be ready.

"It was hard at times, doing that, but I just kept making sure I could keep that mentality. Obviously it has paid off, I have played in a semi-final and a preliminary final, so hopefully I can go through and play in a grand final now."

Now he is bracing for the biggest game of his career, which doubles as the club's biggest game in 25 years, no less.

"It hasn't even sunk in properly yet," Guler said.

"I had a moment when I was out on the field and I was just like 'what's going on?' Everything was bright and everyone was just cheering, it was all happening.

"I honestly don't feel like it's real. We've just got to prepare and get into preparation for this week. Hopefully if we win it I will take a moment to be properly happy."

A grand final appearance has Guler a world away from NSW Cup venues boasting little more than a few hundred onlookers.

But his goal remains the same, as does his process to achieve it.

"Whether it's in front of 5000 or 85,000, I've just got to keep doing the little things," Guler said.

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"That's obviously what has got me here and that is what I've got to keep doing. That's what's going through my head, just do all the little things right.

"I honestly feel like I have improved a lot. A lot of credit goes to Brett White and [Andrew McFadden], our assistant coaches, for really putting their time and effort into me after training and during training, to really help my game.

"They have played a big part in my development. Also Sticky as well. I honestly feel like it has all gone to a new level because of those guys."