Dylan Edwards is really surging wondering though if it will be enough considering most people expected Nick Cotric to have it wrapped up with about six rounds to go. Edwards would have had a better chance if he played first grade earlier in the season.
Nick Cotric trying to hold off Dylan Edwards, Jayden Brailey in NRL rookie of the year race
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI, The Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
premium_iconSubscriber only
CANBERRA’S finals hopes are on life support while Nick Cotric’s push for rookie of the year honours might also need a boost.
Cotric is hoping to become just the second Raider to be crowned the NRL’s top rookie after scoring 16 tries in 22 games.
The 18-year-old was not even born when Mark McLinden won the gong for Canberra in 1998.
While entitled to be favourite for the first-year prize, Cotric is suddenly facing some stiff competition from Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, who is averaging more metres than any other player except North Queensland’s Jason Taumalolo, while Cronulla’s Jayden Brailey has also returned in time from a broken jaw in time to give judges plenty to think about.
Melbourne flyer Suliasi Vunivalu bagged a whopping 23 tries in his rookie season last year and still missed out to Gold Coast playmaker Ash Taylor.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart backed Cotric, while Brailey and Edwards both said they would push hard the final fortnight.
To be eligible, players cannot have played more than three games the previous season.
“I haven’t seen many seasons from a rookie who has been so consistent,’’ Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“I never had any doubts he would be a first-grader, but when young players come in, there are peaks and troughs and they’ll play for six weeks and get a bit fatigued and need a bit of time off.
Melbourne flyer Suliasi Vunivalu bagged a whopping 23 tries in his rookie season last year and still missed out to Gold Coast playmaker Ash Taylor.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart backed Cotric, while Brailey and Edwards both said they would push hard the final fortnight.
To be eligible, players cannot have played more than three games the previous season.
“I haven’t seen many seasons from a rookie who has been so consistent,’’ Stuart told The Daily Telegraph.
“I never had any doubts he would be a first-grader, but when young players come in, there are peaks and troughs and they’ll play for six weeks and get a bit fatigued and need a bit of time off.
“But given his professionalism and humbleness through his family and his lifestyle, it’s a big part of the reason he’s been able to be consistent all season.’’
Brailey said it would be a huge honour to follow in the footsteps of Cronulla teammate Jack Bird, who won the award two seasons ago.
Nobody expected Brailey, who missed a vital six games with a broken jaw, to do such a good job filling Michael Ennis’ No. 9 jersey.
Edwards, whose instant success at fullback for the high-flying Panthers allowed Matt Moylan to remain at five-eighth, was happy to play the underdog. In his 13 games, he has averaged 174m, which only trails Cowboys wrecking ball Taumalolo at 192m.
Like Nathan Cleary last year, Edwards’ mid-season arrival could cruel his chances.
“This is a dream come true and something I’ll remember for a long time,’’ Edwards said.
“Corey Harawira-Naera, Nick Cotric, Jayden Brailey — there are a few good boys that have been playing good footy and deserve it.’’
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...e/news-story/5f91f9359ec8497f9c4809c6cd941a1d
