NSW Blues advisor Greg Alexander says Nick Cotric is one of those special players who can handle any situation no matter what level in the world he is playing.
The Canberra Raiders left wing is still in the State of Origin mix for the Blues for next month's opener, after coach Brad Fittler named him a potential bolter last year.
He has the same thirst for work that's propelled teammate Jordan Rapana onto the international stage, with the duo providing plenty of help to their forwards taking hit-ups coming out of their own half.
Greg Alexander says Nick Cotric is one of those players that can handle any level they play at.
The NRL rookie of the year also shown his versatility, switching seamlessly to fullback when Jack Wighton missed the round-five win over the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Whatever's been thrown at the 19-year-old during his 32-game career he's taken in his stride.
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"Yes that's exactly what he seems like. There's a number of young players that are very composed, they look like they could handle any situation that's thrown at them," Alexander said.
"There's a calculated risk in that, but Nick certainly looks like the player that it wouldn't matter what level of football he was playing, he would play the same. Which is good, that's what you want."
But Alexander said Melbourne Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr was the standout for the left wing after the opening eight rounds, with Sydney Roosters' Blake Ferguson also putting in a strong first month to stake a claim for the right.
Addo-Carr scored eight tries in eight games and set up two more in an electrifying start to the NRL campaign.
Ferguson has scored four, but lead's the NRL for run metres with 1531.
Going into the Raiders' crucial clash against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Saturday, Cotric has scored two, but is second in the league for tackle busts behind fellow young-gun Kalyn Ponga.
"The form wingers are Ferguson and Addo-Carr. Ferguson started the year as clearly the best winger in the opening month and Addo-Carr's eight tries, his defence has been terrific, he's been spectacular," Alexander said.
"But Nick's been good and I like Nick. He's very safe, he's got a strong carry, good in the air. He's got a lot going for him."
Rapana's played eight Tests for New Zealand and if it wasn't for his decision to choose his country of birth over where he grew up, the Kiwi flyer would probably have a few State of Origins under his belt for Queensland.
He said his partner in crime had all the attributes of a representative player.
"We see it every week with him, he's a very consistent player and he's a tough runner, you see him breaking tackles left, right and centre," Rapana said.
"He can find the try line too, so I think he'll add a lot of spark to the team."
Raiders halfback Aidan Sezer spent the summer hanging out with Cotric, with the pair becoming good mates since the teenager forced his way into the senior squad.
Sezer credited Cotric's infectious love of the game as a breath of fresh air in the world of professional rugby league.
"For a [19]-year-old kid playing like a regular first-grader, really contributing to the team each week, it's something pretty special," he said.
"He takes everything in his stride and enjoys the game which is the most fundamental thing."
Alexander also floated an opportunity for Raiders centre Joey Leilua to stamp a claim for the right-centre position following Josh Dugan's broken foot.
"Duges has got an injury, but will be in the mix if he can get himself right before Origin," he said.
"Joey's one of those players that's pretty dynamic."
NRL ROUND NINE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, 3pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Sia Soliola, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Josh Papalii. Interchange from: 14. Ata Hingano, 15. Shannon Boyd, 16. Luke Bateman, 17. Dunamis Lui, 18. Liam Knight, 19. Michael Oldfield.
Titans squad: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Konrad Hurrell, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Bryce Cartwright, 7. Ash Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 14. Max King, 11. Kevin Proctor, 10. Ryan James (c), 13. Jai Arrow. Interchange from: 15. Jack Stockwell, 16. Keegan Hipgrave, 17. Ryan Simpkins, 18. Leilani Latu, 19. Moeaki Fotuaika, 20. Brenko Lee.
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David Polkinghorne covers the Canberra Raiders, local rugby league, Canberra Cavalry, racing and cycling, along with every other sport, for The Canberra Times.
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