Canberra have opted for optimism in naming David Shillington in their squad to take on North Queensland in Monday’s NRL clash, despite his injury woes.
Shillington was forced from the field in the Raiders’ 30-16 victory over Wests Tigers, amid fears a torn oblique muscle could cost him up to three weeks.
The prop will undergo a formal assessment later in the week, but doctors are banking on the hope he will be right for the Raiders’ next home clash with the Cowboys.
He’s been named in the starting line-up, along with lock Josh Papalii, who limped from the field against the Tigers with a thigh injury.
Scans have confirmed he will be right to join training once he undergoes treatment.
With both in the squad, it means coach David Furner has made no changes to the team that beat the Tigers in Campbelltown on Monday.
Reece Robinson, a late inclusion against the Tigers after recovering earlier than expected from a fractured cheekbone, will resume at fullback in the place of Josh Dugan (shoulder).
Furner said prop Dane Tilse will remain on the injury list this week, but expected his Raiders to once again rally from their injury concerns.
“We again sustained a couple of injuries there where people weren’t able to go back on the field, but I think we responded well from last week,” Furner said on Tuesday.
“If you count our trials and our games, there’s probably only been one half of football that hasn’t been what we’ve been preparing for.
“We’ve just got to keep that same mentality and attitude – and that shouldn’t change regardless of who comes into the team.”
Furner commended captain Terry Campese for his solid contribution on the weekend, with the playmaker producing his best game for the Raiders since coming off the long-term injury list.
But the modest skipper played down talk of a State of Origin spot.
“I wouldn’t jump too far ahead – it’s just one game,” Campese said.
“It’s just about getting confidence after all the injuries that forced me to miss last year.
“Origin is a bit premature for now.
“I’m just focusing on the Raiders and getting a few wins in a row.”
The Raiders are two from four after four rounds, but are hoping to claim their first win at home, against the Cowboys.
Campese said confidence was on the rise after Monday’s impressive performance against the Tigers – the pre-season premiership favourites.
“We’ve had two losses where I thought we were the better team and where we should have come away with the victory, so confidence was down a little bit.”
