Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall says despite a big week of speculation, his side remain focused on keeping their finals hopes alive this Sunday.
Sitting four points back of the Sharks (6th), Broncos (7th) and Warriors (8th) heading in to Round 22, a loss by Brisbane at the hands of North Queensland has opened the door for Ivan Cleary's side to continue their late season charge towards September, with Marshall saying that was all that was on the team's mind.
"It has been a big week," Marshall told reporters after training on Friday.
"I think for the players, what's been prevalent is how we have to bind together for what we have to do.
"Obviously we're playing against Canberra and with the Broncos losing last night, it's really given us an opportunity to maybe sneak in there to the top eight so our focus has to be on the game.
"We've talked about that as a team and that's what we're trying to do.
"My priority is making the semis," he added.
We've got a lot of guys who haven't played in the finals before and I know the feeling is unbelievable and I want to help take this team to that. Because of that and that feeling alone, this game is important."
After battling a calf injury for the past month and succumbing to the knock last Friday against Newcastle, the 33-year-old gave the good news that he was right to go for Sunday's must-win game.
"I trained today and got through pretty good," Marshall enthused.
"I'm definitely playing and I'm keen to be out there. I just want to contribute and do what I can to help us make the semis and I feel like me being out there helps do that."
See what Benji Marshall had to say about this week's game in full in the video above!
