Stuart's also desperate for the Green Machine to honour their co-captain's 150^th NRL game with a win against the North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium on Thursday night.

The Raiders coach said Whitehead was a natural leader because of the respect his teammates hold him in.

He's been able to settle more into the role over the pre-season, having been thrust into the co-captaincy in difficult circumstances last year after Josh Hodgson stepped down.

The Englishman's also been adapting to a new role in the middle this campaign, shifting from his usual spot in the second row to the No.13 jersey.

He felt he hadn't adapted as quickly a he'd liked and has returned to the edge in the absence of Hudson Young (toe), who missed last week but will play 80 minutes in the NSW Cup on Saturday.

Whitehead's versatility and skill has seen Stuart use him in a number of roles since he joined the Green Machine from English Super League club Catalans.

He's played in the second row, the middle, the centres, five-eighth and even halfback in his seven seasons Down Under.

"I'd still like to give him the opportunity to play at 13 throughout the season," Stuart said.

"Elliott underestimates his talent. He's a very humble guy to be honest. He's a wonderful ball player.

"He's a great link in the middle of the field. He's a great link for our halves.

"At the moment, with Hudson coming back from a toe injury, it's just from a dynamic point of view for our starting 13 it works [to have him in the second row]."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

It will be Whitehead's 150^th NRL game, but it will also be his 327^th first grade game - having played 177 in the Super League for Catalans and Bradford.

He's not only been one of the Green Machine's most versatile players, but also one of the most durable as well - having only missed five games across his seven years in Canberra.

And for one of those he was rested.

Whitehead and his partner Grace have made a home in Canberra, with plans already in place for him to move into the coaching ranks when he retires.

"He's an amazing Raider Elliott ... he was only going to be here for two or three years, but Elliott and his partner Grace, this is their seventh year," Stuart said.

"They really like Canberra. They want to make Canberra home and we want to make Elliott a really proud Raider.

"A milestone of 150 games is no easy task. Now he's our co-captain with Jarrod [Croker].

"We've got to be mindful of doing everything we possibly can to make it a good night for Elliott."

NRL ROUND SIX

Thursday: Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Xavier Savage, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris, 19. Hudson Young, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Albert Hopoate, 22. Jarrod Croker, 23. Trey Mooney, 24. Peter Hola.

Cowboys squad: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Coen Hess, 11. Tom Gilbert, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Jake Granville, 15. Heilum Luki, 16. Reuben Cotter, 17. Connelly Lemuelu. Reserves: 18. Emry Pere, 19. Brendan Elliot, 20. Riley Price, 21. Daejarn Asi, 22. Ben Condon, 23. Ben Hampton, 24. Tomas Chester.