Comparisons with Canberra champions Laurie Daley and Jack Wighton are hardly quietening the buzz around new Raider Ethan Strange, with coach Ricky Stuart admitting to some encouraging similarities with the club legends.
Stuart insisted Strange is more than ready for his NRL debut against Melbourne this weekend, with the 18-year-old picked at centre after injuries to Sebastian Kris and Jarrod Croker.
Viewed as a long-term half after impressing in that role at NSW Cup level, the teen star has shown enough for Stuart to back him in the crunch encounter against the Storm.