Cotric comes off contract at the end of next season and the Raiders are already in talks to keep the frontrunner for the NRL's rookie of the year award in Canberra.

Raiders boss Don Furner confirmed talks are underway to retain Cotric, with the club desperate to keep the boom rookie in the capital for years to come.

The 18-year-old has been a shining light in a horror year for the Green Machine as they failed to back up last season's remarkable rise.

The Tuggeranong junior will have one last chance to add to his 16 tries in 23 games when the Raiders travel to Melbourne to face the minor premiers on Saturday.

"He's exceeded expectations no doubt, particularly with the physicality of the game at such a young age," Furner said.

"He's handled the physicality really well and he's very mature for his age. He's been lucky with injury and been able to stay there for the whole 23-odd games."

Furner says Cotric has developed into "a great role model" for young players around Canberra and his rise to success strengthens the pathways for emerging talent in the capital.

"It's the same with anyone that makes it locally. It's amazing when you see it, you just realise that it is something to aspire to," Furner said.

"We've had quite a few come through and we hope there'll be some more down the track. He's a great role model for them and hopefully he can show them that if he can do it, they've got something to aim to."

Raiders fullback Jack Wighton says Canberra only have themselves to blame for a disappointing season that saw them crash out of finals contention with a week to spare.

Canberra lost eight games by six points or less this year and were an outside chance at making the finals before a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal shattered their finals hopes.

"No one's fault but our own, this whole year," Wighton said.

"We've really let ourselves down in tight games, a number of them actually. It's something we're going to have to fix next year if we're going to even be contenders.

"It's going to be a miserable type of vibe because we're all competitors and it's what we play this game for, is to make the finals. Now we're out, it's going to hit home for a few of the boys but there's nothing we can do."

The Raiders are now faced with the imposing task of taking down the competition favourites on their home turf.

The Raiders will be boosted by the return of spiritual leader Sia Soliola, who was hoping to return for a last-ditch finals bid following his five-game suspension for a high and late shot on Billy Slater in round 20.

But now with little to play for Wighton admits they've got to try and counter a "miserable" vibe in a bid to finish their season on a high.

"We definitely wanted to try and sneak into the finals even though we hurt ourselves so much through the year," Wighton said.

"We had our fingers crossed with the games on the weekend but it just didn't go our way.

"It's going to be a miserable type of vibe because we're all competitors and it's what we play this game for, is to make the finals.

"Now we're out, it's going to hit home for a few of the boys but there's nothing we can do."

NRL ROUND 26

Saturday: Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park, 7.30pm. TV time: Live on Fox League.