Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has declared his teenage star Nick Cotric the best winger in the NRL.
After seeing Cotric produce a masterclass in the Raiders' stunning 21-20 comeback victory over Manly on Friday night, few could disagree with him.
The NSW bolter gave his State of Origin prospects a giant boost with his two-try effort, which also included a kick assist for a vital Jack Wighton try in the dying minutes.
Stuart has been cautious of praising Cotric during his meteoric rise, but he didn't hold back in his post-match press conference.
"Call me biased and whatever you want, he's the best winger in the competition," Stuart said.
"If you're picking the best wingers in the competition for NSW, he's your first winger picked.
"Whether he's on the right side or the left side. He's a natural right sided player."
Cotric was already right in contention after Blues advisor Greg Alexander's talked up his prospects.
"He's been one of three (wingers) for quite some time now - Addo-Carr, Blake Ferguson, Nick Cotric - outside (of that) Tom Trbojevic might be unlikely to play on a wing, but he can do it," Alexander told Fairfax Media.
"Every one of us in the coaching staff is a big Nick Cotric fan.
"I know he's played left wing his whole time, but his background is as a fullback so he can handle either side."
If he's picked for the first Origin game at the MCG on June 6, Cotric would become the second youngest Raider to play for NSW - behind Bradley Clyde.
Ironically, NSW coach Brad Fittler holds the all-time record when he played for the Blues as an 18-year-old in 1990.
Cotric's played all 36 games for Canberra since making his NRL debut in round one last year, running in 23 tries.
