Sam Williams expects Nick Cotric to continue to show he is Canberra's latest jack of all trades, after his impressive outing at centre.
Cotric isn't new to being on the right edge having played there in the under 20s for the Green Machine.
His performance in the 16-12 loss to the Rabbitohs pointed to positive signs for the club as they try and cover for the absence of the injured Joey Leilua (neck).
Cotric has averaged 111 metres a game in his 58-match NRL career and he managed to run for 129 metres off 13 carries last Saturday at GIO Stadium.
However, Williams suspects the 20-year-old will only get better as the Raiders prepare to host North Queensland on Saturday afternoon.
"It took him a bit to get a few combinations going so I think he'll be a hell of a lot better for the run," the halfback said.
"He's such a powerful and skilful young player, there's so much upside we're starting to see what he can do.
"He's a different style of Jarrod [Croker] on one side and Oldie [Michael Oldfield] the week before in that he's jinky and steps and he's very hard to contain."
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad expects Cotric to get more of the ball this weekend as the home side looks to bounce back from two close losses to competition leaders Souths Sydney and the Roosters.
Match Highlights: Raiders v Rabbitohs
"The times he was able to get his hand on the footy he created opportunities and the line breaks that led to a try," the fullback said.
"So, we will work to our strengths and he's one of them."
Despite showing they are deserving of a top-four place this season, Williams said the Raiders cannot drop a third game in a row despite their injury toll.
"We've show we can match it with the best in the competition the last couple of weeks so we're not to far off it," Williams said.
"But we have to make sure we get the win this week, you can't keep losing if you are showing signs of improvement.
"They [Cowboys] have found a little bit of form and have started to find their feet.
"I think the score line flattered us a little bit the last time we were up there, it was a really tough game, so I don't think there's any reason to be complacent.
"They're a good side that is coming into form."
In the next four weeks the Raiders have the Cowboys (home), Canterbury (away), Wests Tigers (away) and Cronulla (home) and while they will be favoured to win all four, Nicoll-Klokstad said they would prepare as if they were facing teams at the top of the ladder.
"It's what you do away from the field, keeping fresh up top [mentally] and doing those one-percenters," he said.
"The coaches and the staff give us what we need to prepare as well as we can, it's more mentally that makes the difference."
