Canberra centre Nick Cotric admits his third NRL season has been his most tumultuous but the young gun said it had also been a "massive learning curve" ahead of his first finals series.
Cotric debuted at 18 in the opening round of 2017 and played 59 straight games before he was picked for NSW in the State of Origin opener this year.
The 20-year-old Raiders star missed Origin game two with an ankle injury and didn't recover for the decider which the Blues won.
In his first game back Cotric became the first player sent off this season following a dangerous throw on St George Illawarra centre Tim Lafai.
The dismissal drew the ire of coach Ricky Stuart and threw Cotric into the national spotlight before he took an early guilty plea and was suspended for three games.
The prolific winger scored 28 tries in 48 games during his first two NRL seasons but Canberra failed to play finals both years.
Cotric has played in the centres six times in 2019 and scored just three tries in 16 games, but the third-placed Raiders will play finals.
Stuart has put Cotric back on the wing following the return of BJ Leilua.
Cotric said he'll be at full strength for the Raiders' third consecutive top-four clash when they host Manly on Sunday.
"It's been a bit full on this year, everything has been happening but it's all been a massive learning curve for me and I'm just looking to keep improving each week," Cotric said.
"The last three weeks (I've been) getting my match fitness back ... I'm feeling 100 per cent now after those couple of weeks out.
"This round is going to be a big test for us because Manly are such a great side, they knocked off Melbourne a couple of weeks ago.
"We've just got to back up our performances each week and be consistent."
Australian Associated Press
