Jack Wighton's very nature is "made for State of Origin".
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The Canberra Raiders five-eighth has the natural aggression, a football brain, and the versatility that could make him the perfect addition for the NSW Blues.
So says Wighton's halves partner Sam Williams, who believes NSW coach Brad Fittler must be looking at his comrade as he prepares to name his side for the series opener on Sunday.
Wighton and Nick Cotric have one more chance to prove themselves worthy of a sky blue jersey when the Raiders host the North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Not since Blake Ferguson in 2013 have the Raiders had a player selected for the Blues, with Wighton and Cotric hoping to end the drought.
Versatility favours Wighton as he enters the discussion for a bench or centre position.
"There's no doubt if they were to call upon Jacko, he wouldn't let anyone down. He's such a natural footballer, he can cover so many different positions," Williams said.
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"That natural aggression he has got, it's made for State of Origin. If he can get a sky blue jersey it would be brilliant for him. He has shown a lot of maturity this year with the way he came back from last year and we would all love to see him in a blue jersey.
"There's some other players being thrown up for versatility. The way Jacko can play every position in the backline and in the forwards at a pinch as well, there's not many players who can do that so he has got to be in the frame.
"He's been brilliant, Jacko. He is a natural footballer who can handle any position, that's the beauty about the way he plays.
"He just knows how to be a rugby league footballer, he's got good instincts, he's aggressive, he's a brilliant ball runner and he has really made that six jersey his home [in Canberra]."
Cotric and Raiders captain Jarrod Croker have both entered the frame for the vacant right centre spot but face an uphill battle to be selected given they would both be somewhat out of position.
However Raiders winger Michael Oldfield says Cotric has a "big future, that kid" - and Williams believes we are only scratching the surface of his ability.
"I think we will be a hell of a lot better for the run [with Cotric at right centre for Canberra]. He's such a powerful player, and he's such a skillful young player, I think there is so much upside to him," Williams said.
"We're only starting to see what he can do."
NSW great Peter Sterling has called for Cotric to be included on the wing. The 20-year-old would be a shock selection at right centre given he has played one NRL game in the position.
But he likely wouldn't let anyone down with Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad adamant he looked at ease in the centres against a competition heavyweight last week.
"He's going well, he's a gun. I started getting excited for him when I realised he did play a bit of centre coming through 20s," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"He was getting a bit excited himself about the weekend and he has created a good platform. It's about building on that. The times we did get him the footy on the weekend, he was able to create opportunities and created a line break that led to a try."