BEN Elias has urged Wests Tigers to spoil the party for the Raiders in Canberra tomorrow night as revenge for the 1989 grand final. The Tigers received a minor boost for the sudden-death semi-final after centre Blake Ayshford was yesterday cleared of glandular fever. However, he still remains in doubt with a virus.
Regardless of what team takes the field tomorrow night, firmer Tigers hooker Elias would love nothing more than the Tigers to score an upset win and ruin the occasion for the sell-out 27,000 crowd.
Elias was part of the team that was denied a premiership in 1989 after the Green Machine stole a memorable grand final 19-14 in extra time.
Elias has faith that the Tigers can overcome the odds of a horrific injury toll and a hostile crowd to keep their season alive.
"There's been a rivalry with Canberra ever since 1989 and there's a lot of history there," he said. "You ask me the question would we like to spoil the party? One hundred per cent -- '89 was a long, long time ago, but do I still think about it? Absolutely. This would be a payback. It would be poetic justice."
Ayshford has been cleared of glandular fever following a round of blood tests and although he has been named at centre, he still remains in doubt. Today will be crunch time for five-eighth Benji Marshall, when he is expected to participate in a ballwork session.
The Tigers' star No 6 suffered a knee injury during last Saturday night's qualifying final loss to the Sydney Roosters and has been given until kick-off to prove his fitness. The Tigers will take a 21-man squad to Canberra and there could be a significant reshuffle of the backline if centre Chris Lawrence returns from a broken jaw.
While the Tigers were monitoring their casualty list, the Raiders were more concerned about another problem -- five-eighth Terry Campese's relationship with referees.
Speaking on SkySports radio yesterday, prop David Shillington said Campese was a brilliant leader but he needed to brush up his on-field manners
"I don't think he's got the best relationship with a few referees," Shillington said. He's very passionate, Campo. He cares about winning I think more than anyone I've seen.
"Sometimes he probably speaks up a little bit too much to other players or to refs but everyone understands why he does it and we respect him for it."
