Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has likened young gun Nick Cotric to skipper Jarrod Croker after the 18-year-old scored a magnificent try in Canberra's NRL victory over Parramatta.
With the Eels cutting the margin to four points as they mounted a second-half comeback in Canberra on Saturday, Cotric announced his arrival in his fifth first-grade game with a moment of individual brilliance.
Cotric burst out of dummy-half and sliced through Parramatta's line after fending off hooker Kaysa Pritchard before stepping fullback Bevan French to score a crucial four-pointer.
While his actions on the field are gaining growing plaudits, Stuart is just as impressed by Cotric's attitude around the club.
"We talk about humbleness and what Nick Cotric's got inside him, it's exactly what Jarrod is," Stuart said.
"For such an inexperienced guy I'm really impressed by his modesty and humbleness."
Centre Croker plays inside Cotric on the wing and Stuart believes their combination is helping the teenager's development.
"He's been playing very good football," Stuart said.
""He's on the end of a very good attacking team.
"The thing that impresses me most is how he's personally handling it.
"He's controlling his attitude very well which is a credit to a young man."
Croker said it was exciting to see Cotric display his attacking prowess among a creative back five.
"For Nick to be able to score a try like that in his fifth game is pretty special," Croker said.
With injury keeping Croker out of the first two rounds, the 30-18 win over Parramatta was the third time he played alongside Cotric.
Croker became the third player in Raiders' history to score 100 tries for the club on Saturday and Cotric hit the scoreboard, as the left-edge played their part in Canberra's second win of the season.
"It's all about Nick growing," Croker said.
"I keep saying he gets better and better each week.
"He's just got to keep his head down and keep working."
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