It's easy to see why Chris Lawrence is so adamant that he will play in the first semi-final against the Warriors on Friday night. Having seen his season disappear when his hip slipped from its socket, he is desperate to turn a season of negativity into one with a bright finish. After his somewhat miraculous return from the dislocated hip, Lawrence is attempting to play his first match since suffering a hamstring injury. While coach Tim Sheens remains wary, given Lawrence's problematic season, the centre seems unwilling to accept anything other than a return. ''I'm playing no matter what,'' Lawrence said yesterday. ''I don't care what the coach says. When I first did my hip, I thought, 'That's my season.' My first thoughts were trying to think about next year. I got the chance to come back this year.'' Lawrence trained with the Tigers yesterday, although Sheens was making no promises. ''I hope he does [think he's a starter],'' he said. ''That'd be good if he is. But there's no such thing as a certainty in this business.''

Glenn Jackson