Canberra coach Ricky Stuart believes Brad Fittler made a mistake by leaving his Raiders winger Nick Cotric out of the NSW team.
The teenager has been included in the Blues' squad, but barring injury won't play in State of Origin after being named 19th man.
Three days after declaring him "the best winger in the competition", Stuart says Cotric should be in the NSW starting team.
But instead of a straight swap for Manly jet Tom Trbojevic, the former NSW boss would've left out Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco.
"I know I am his head coach, but what that young bloke has done over the last season and a half, I definitely believes he's done enough," Stuart told Fox League's NRL 360.
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"If you're ever going to blood, which Brad's doing, some young youth and kids that are going to be in that team for six or eight seasons, I think it was Nick's time.
"I would've picked Trbojevic at fullback and that has nothing to do with Tedesco, I think Tedesco is a wonderful player.
"But I'm a fan of big men who are talented and I think Trbojevic and Nick Cotic would've been damn harder to handle than(Josh) Addo-Carr and Tedesco."
Cotric's played all 36 games for Canberra since making his NRL debut in round one last year, running in 23 tries.
He would've become the second youngest Raider to play for NSW - behind Bradley Clyde.
