He's been rated by his peers as the best five-eighth in the game, but Raiders playmaker Blake Austin says he needs to show more composure in pressure situations.
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Austin is desperate to make amends for a poor performance when the Raiders host the in-form Manly Sea Eagles at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
The 24-year-old is the first to admit he was below his best in Monday night's 20-18 loss to his former club, the Wests Tigers.
Austin said it was up to him and halves partner Sam Williams to ensure the Raiders reduced their basic errors.
"I've got to be a lot better and I was well below par on the weekend," Austin said. "To turn out a performance like that was really disappointing.
"It's about sticking to the simple things. There were moments we did those simple things; other times we over-played our hand.
"It's got to come from me and Sammy, we've got to drive that. We're taking full responsibility for that and we will try to be better next week."
Austin has had a breakthrough season at the Raiders after leaving the Tigers at the end of last year, establishing himself as one of the NRL's rising stars.
He was voted in the Rugby League Week's player's poll as the best five-eighth in the competition and has been touted as a NSW State of Origin prospect.
"I've had some good lessons this year," Austin said. "I've had some good games and some games that weren't quite as good. That will be a good learning curve leading into next year and the future.
"It's really important we learn our lessons and not keep making the same mistakes."
The 11th-placed Raiders need to win their remaining four games and hope other results fall their way to sneak into the top eight.
They have fallen off dramatically in the second half of the season, having won only three of their past 11 games.
That downward trajectory is in stark contrast to the Sea Eagles, who have won five of their past six games to put themselves on the verge of yet another finals appearance.
"Manly have been a powerhouse for 10 years, you know you're going to be in for a game every time you verse them," Austin said. "It doesn't help they are in the form they are, but what a great opportunity we have.
"Me and Sammy will be coming up against two great halves and it'll be a chance to put last week behind us."
New Zealand international Kieran Foran and $10 million halfback Daly Cherry-Evans have helped to turn around the Sea Eagles.
The Raiders are keen to extend Austin's contract beyond 2017 and he will also be upgraded for the remaining two years of his deal.
Austin joked his performance against the Tigers might have put off negotiations. "They might have been cancelled after the weekend," he said.
"I've had enough clubs, I'd like to be at the Raiders for a long time. Going forward, we'll be a force."
Having had a terrific individual battle with Tigers young gun James Tedesco, Raiders fullback Jack Wighton has another challenge taking on Manly veteran Brett Stewart.
"He's been one of the best fullbacks over the years and as a team we'll try to shut him down and try to keep on top of him," Wighton said.
"The loss against the Tigers hurt a lot, but we've got to put it behind us even though it's hard and move on to the next week.
"We've got to win all our games so we're going to do our best against an in-form Manly team."
