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.

More: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-star-cotric-s-whirlwind-2019-continues/b309dcb1-c4aa-4098-853e-3df9249dfb0e

Melbourne assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe has rubbished claims the Storm are deliberately employing the "wingnut" tackle on opponents after their skipper Cameron Smith was warned by the NRL for his actions.

Smith was officially put on notice by the NRL after images emerged of him appearing to massage the ear of Canberra's Bailey Simonsson during Saturday's clash in Melbourne.

He was penalised by referee Ben Cummins, who told him it was for "rubbish on the face".

More: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/storm-defend-smith-and-nrl-tackle-tactics/c297ed82-8c9f-46b3-aa2b-8049f2a60d36

Rookie forward Hudson Young has a chance to redeem himself in the Canberra Raiders' finals push as he prepares to end an 11-week stint out of the NRL. Young has bounced back from a five-week suspension and a stay in reserve grade to return to the Raiders' bench for a clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. A rib injury will keep Joe Tapine sidelined for the top four showdown, paving the way for Ryan Sutton to enter the starting side and thus opening a spot for Young on the bench. Young has been yearning for a first grade recall having "learnt a lot" during his hefty ban for an eye gouge on Canterbury forward Aiden Tolman in June. Three matches for Mounties in the NSW Cup is all he needed to shake off the cobwebs and convince Raiders coach Ricky Stuart he is worthy of a place in the third-placed NRL outfit.

More: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6338994/raiders-rookie-young-bounces-back-for-a-finals-audition/?cs=14239

Mounties Canterbury Cup coach Peter Marrapodi has named his squad for Sunday's clash with the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium.

1. Michael Oldfield

2. Tony Satini

3. Reubenn Rennie

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Andre Niko

6. Dean Matterson

7. Brendan O'Hagan

8. Emre Guler

9. Siliva Havili

10. JJ Collins

11. Reuben Porter

12. Jack Murchie

13. Luke Bateman

14. Daniel Keir

15. Jarrett Boland

17. Tom Starling

19. Vincent Rennie

23. Royce Hunt



More: http://dlvr.it/RBXC1t

Melbourne assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe has rubbished claims the Storm are deliberately employing the "wingnut" tackle on opponents after their skipper Cameron Smith was warned by the NRL for his actions.

Smith was officially put on notice by the NRL after images emerged of him appearing to massage the ear of Canberra's Bailey Simonsson during Saturday's clash in Melbourne.

He was penalised by referee Ben Cummins, who told him it was for "rubbish on the face".

More: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/storm-defend-smith-and-nrl-tackle-tactics/c297ed82-8c9f-46b3-aa2b-8049f2a60d36