Canberra Raiders season guide: The young guns keen to take the NRL by storm

That is Luke Bateman's take on the Canberra Raiders' new wave of emerging stars, but he has "absolutely no doubt" Jack Murchie and Emre Guler will crack the NRL this season.

Raiders second-rower Josh Papalii "definitely" thinks they have what it takes to play at the top level and follow in the footsteps of 19-year-old winger Cotric.

Cotric burst through from last year's under-20s to make the Green Machine's left wing his own, and Murchie and Guler boast similar resumes.

They both earned junior NSW and Australian jerseys last year, with Murchie being selected in the back-row of the National Youth Competition's team of the year.

"It's great what Nick did, being able to go in there and play every game. It shows us younger boys that it can be done and it's a good thing to have as a goal," Murchie said.

"Obviously [an NRL debut] has always been a goal for the season but it's early days going in. That might come if I'm doing all the right things. I've got to get that consistency first in my game and go from there.

"We've got a lot of depth there in that position but at the same time that's a positive for me, because having those quality international players in there, I get to learn every day off those guys."

Cotric doesn't see himself as an inspiration for his former under 20s teammates - but he knows "if they keep working hard they'll get up here soon".

Guler has more than held his own during pre-season with the young front-rower taking it upon himself to lead the forwards around at training.

It is an impressive feat for a player fresh out of underage football in a pack glistening with internationals like Papalii, Elliott Whitehead, Joe Tapine, Josh Hodgson and Sia Soliola.

Guler and Murchie aren't alone - the Green Machine also have Paul Roache and Kalani Going waiting in the wings.

"We've got Emre who has been leading the forwards around. For a young head, he's pretty mature for his age," Papalii said.

"Paulie Roache is pretty skilful for a young bloke as well. [Blake] Austin, Chicken [Aidan Sezer] and Sammy Williams have taken him under their wing and he's definitely playing some good footy.

"Murchie, he played a blinder [in the trial against Canterbury] and he's someone who can crack this team pretty easily as well. He's been working really hard.

"Everyone knows about Nick being a young kid coming through and obviously fitting in pretty well in the NRL.

"Because they're such young players they're keen to come in every day and do fitness and weights when they have to.

"A few of them actually do extras on the side as well, whereas the older boys, we try and save our bodies a bit and we try and stay away from footy as much as possible."

Roache is a New Zealand rugby union convert and has worked closely with Canberra's halves, while Going was set to captain the Kiwis under 20s last year but was ruled out due to a broken jaw.

Guler joined Canberra from South Sydney late in the 2016 season and Going has had a huge influence on him settling into life away from home, while 20-year-old Murchie was lured to the capital from Ulladulla via Gerringong, where he won a first grade premiership under Mick Cronin.

Plenty of players tipped for bigger things after graduating from the under 20s system have fallen by the wayside.

But Bateman has seen enough in the likes of Murchie and Guler to suggest they will be in the hunt to join Canberra's "forever green" club.

"Definitely, I have no doubt at some stage during the year that both of them will most likely get a run," Bateman said.

"At what stage that is I'm not sure, it will probably depend on injury and maybe even resting players and things like that. I have absolutely no doubt that both of them will play NRL at some stage during the year.

"It's hard to compare anyone to Nick Cotric, because he was just a bit of a breakout sensation wasn't he? Those boys are definitely heading along a similar path."