Cooper Cronk says his Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith appears only a 50-50 chance of playing in Sunday’s NRL elimination final against Canterbury.

Cronk deputised for Smith at Monday’s media conference for captains of the eight finals teams in Sydney as the Australian skipper remained in the Victorian capital receiving treatment on his sprained ankle.

Smith sustained the injury during Friday night’s win over Brisbane at AAMI Park and it was initially feared the 31-year-old had sustained syndesmosis, although he managed to return and complete the game.

Halfback Cronk revealed Smith was still a long way from being a definite starter in the sudden-death clash with the Bulldogs at AAMI Park.

“We’re not sure yet. I would say at the moment he is only a 50-50 chance of being fit,” Cronk said at Rugby League Central in Sydney.

“The good thing for us is that he finished the game against Brisbane but the bad news is at our recovery session on Saturday he was on crutches.

“He’s back down in the Melbourne now getting treatment but I know he will be doing everything he can to be right to play.”

NRL chief Dave Smith officially launched the finals series and declared the 2014 session was the best for many years.

“We had to wait until the very last game on Sunday to find out who will be in the finals,” Smith said.

“It’s been one of the closest and most exciting seasons for decades.

“We’ve had 14 games this seasons decided by a point or less.

“It’s going to be an exciting finals series and we are all looking forward to it.”