Injured Sydney Roosters winger Phil Graham is hopeful of being fit for Sunday's NRL grand final after taking part in his first contact session since suffering a torn pectoral muscle.

Graham missed Friday night's 32-6 preliminary final win over Gold Coast with a small tear to the muscle and is in a race against time to take his place in the decider against St George Illawarra.

"I did a little bit this morning in the gym, just on the wrestling mats, it wasn't too bad so hopefully it pulls up good tomorrow," Graham told reporters on Monday.

"I've done some running and done some tackling ... during the tackling it went pretty good so it's not sore or anything now but I've just got to wait and see.

"It feels pretty good, I've got all my range back and all my movement."

The former Canberra back will need to convince coach Brian Smith and the Roosters medical staff of his fitness in simulated match conditions later this week.

But Graham, who suffered the injury in the 34-12 semi-final win over Penrith, isn't building his hopes too high of running out at ANZ Stadium with a Roosters side attempting to become the first to win a premiership the year after a wooden spoon since 1934.

"I'm not sort of concentrating on getting my hopes up, I'm just seeing if I'm right to play," he said.

"I'm just doing everything I can to be right to play and if I end up coming good I guess it's up to the coach to see if he wants to play me or not."

Skipper Braith Anasta will welcome the return of the experienced 29-year-old to the Roosters' left side after minding youngsters Kane Linnett and Joseph Leilua in defence against the Titans.

"On the weekend they did exceptional jobs and if they do make a mistake or they don't quite get there then it's my job to try and cover them," Anasta said.

"As it is in every team, you've got to look after your mate.

"They're young guys and they're quiet guys and in the heat of the battle you've got to be loud, you've got to be physical, you've got to have a presence about you or else you get found out."

Anasta said that need for urgency would be compounded by the presence of desperate Dragons right centre Mark Gasnier.

"Gaz has slowly but surely been improving every week and he's a big game player," Anasta said.

"He hasn't won a GF, he'll be looking to probably get a little bit more involved than he did last week, he didn't get too much ball but when he did he was good."

But the Dragons' right side, which also includes five-eighth Jamie Soward and backrower Beau Scott, can expect plenty coming their way too.

"I've been running the ball a lot anyway so I won't change this week," Anasta said.

"(Soward will) have blokes around him who'll be looking after him but I think he's definitely improved as a defender."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP