Bailey Simonsson could be the Canberra Raiders' answer to Melbourne Storm speedster Ryan Papenhuyzen.
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Canberra Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker felt Simonsson could come off the bench and do a similar job when the two teams clash in Melbourne on Saturday.
Papenhuyzen has been coming off the bench for the Storm and injecting pace and run through the middle of the ground for the NRL ladder leaders.
With Simonsson dropping to the bench in the utility role, Croker felt the 21-year-old could provide a similar option against tiring middles.
Simonsson could also help cover any injuries in the outside backs, having played all 14 of his NRL games on the wing - including when he came off the bench against the Sydney Roosters in round nine.
He's been given the utility role normally filled by back-up hooker Siliva Havili.
While Havili wasn't named in the 17, he's still on the Green Machine's extended bench, but looks set to get match fitness with the Mounties in the NSW Cup..
It's the third-placed Raiders' second consecutive top-four clash, having narrowly gone down 22-18 to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
"Having 'Liva' there was quite handy as well with a back-up nine, but you saw on the weekend we didn't really get to use him until the end of the game," Croker said.
"Bailey obviously covers an outside back injury.
"It's the sort of game where he could come on and just throw him in the middle and let him run when things start to open up right towards the back end of the game with his footwork and his speed.
"Melbourne do it quite well with Papenhuyzen, he comes on with that spark. He could be used in that way as well."
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Simonsson also provides a security blanket for Raiders strike centre Joey Leilua.
Leilua's returning from a career-threatening neck injury and hasn't played since April.
While he's undergone a second pre-season during his lay-off, Croker said match fitness was a different beast.
"Obviously BJ hasn't played since round seven," he said.
"He's done a lot of fitness and a lot work, but match fitness is completely different to running around an oval.
"We'll see how BJ's holding up and getting through the game.
"Knowing BJ he'll get out there and the competitive nature will kick in.
"If something happens or the legs go on BJ we've got Bailey there as well."
Leilua will slot into right centre, with Nick Cotric returning to the left wing.
It sets up a mouth-watering Raiders right edge of Leilua, winger Jordan Rapana and second-rower John Bateman.
Bateman felt all three were similar players.
There's been a revolving door at right centre since Leilua's injury, with Cotric, Michael Oldfield and Sebastian Kris slotting in.
But Bateman didn't think it was a problem as they prepare to face a Storm left-edge containing Cameron Munster.
"It's not a concern. I've played with most of the players anyway," he said.
"I've had quite a few games on the right hand side now. [Halfback Aidan] Sezer has as well.
"'Rapa' has as well so it's only BJ coming in and BJ knows how to play rugby. You could put him in anywhere to be fair.
"You could chuck him in the middle - not sure he'd last 10 minutes, but you could chuck him in the middle.
"He just knows how to play rugby."
Croker has been impressed with how Simonsson's performed in his first NRL season.
Injury and State of Origin opened the door for him to play 14 games, in which he's scored seven tries.
He's mostly played on the left wing, but has also played a few on the right filling in for Rapana.
"It's a tough one, but a good position to be in to have someone like Bailey, who has been playing so well for us, [on the bench]," Croker said.
"He's come on a lot better and a lot more than I expected throughout the year.
"He's really added that extra depth in the outside backs and he's done well enough to keep his spot in the outside backs as well."
NRL ROUND 22
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.30pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Emre Guler.
Storm squad: 1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Tui Kamikamica, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Joe Stimson, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen. Reserves: 18. Max King, 19. Tom Eisenhuth, 20. Sandor Earl, 21. Billy Walters.