Bailey Simonsson hungry for more despite returning Raiders

And he's unconcerned about the potential returns of Nick Cotric and Joey Leilua to the Raiders squad to face the Sydney Roosters in next Sunday's blockbuster at Canberra Stadium.

Cotric will return from a three-game suspension, while Joey Leilua will be named in the 21 for the first time since undergoing neck surgery three months ago.

When Leilua returns to the field will depend on how confident he feels, having returned to full training.

It means both Simonsson and Michael Oldfield could be squeezed out of the team that thrashed the New Zealand Warriors 46-12 in Auckland on Friday night.

Simonsson scored a brace - including a try where he beat five Warriors - and has looked at home in the NRL in his 13 games since making his debut in round one, scoring seven tries.

He felt the win was their most clinical performance this season and the Roosters posed the perfect test in the run to the finals.

But the former All Blacks sevens player could make way if both Cotric and Leilua return.

"That stuff's not really in my control. Each time I play I just give 100 per cent and play the best I can and leave that one up to the coaching staff," Simonsson said.

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

While he wasn't concerned, that doesn't mean he won't do everything he can to keep his spot.

"I never would've thought I'd play so many first-grade games this year, but it's been really enjoyable and I'm taking it week by week and enjoying it as much as I can," he said.

"I'm always hungry to keep improving and I'm hungry for more games and opportunities - 100 per cent."

Defence has been king for the Green Machine this season - they're the second most miserly in the NRL - but Simonsson said their performance against the Warriors showed they had attacking strike all over the park.

Canberra bookends Sia Soliola and Josh Papalii both found the line, while the Raiders produced a raft of different types of tries - from Aidan Sezer grubbers in behind for the outside backs to run on to, to expansive play involving a raft of offloads for Joe Tapine to get on the end of.

"We've got strike across the whole field, which is always handy, so it's not as if we're one-dimensional in attack, which is always helpful and makes us a threat across the park," Simonsson said.

"I'd definitely say we're fortunate enough to have a lot of players that can score tries and break the game open."

Simonsson has played most of his NRL career on the left wing outside of Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker.

Croker will play his 250^th NRL game against the Roosters - yet another milestone in a storied career.

He said Croker's standing in the club would ensure they'd put in a big effort for their leader.

"Its unreal for Jarrod. I've only been a very small part of his career, but I've watched him play for a long time," Simonsson said.

"He's been really good for me. He's just a calm, experienced head out there. He knows what to say and what to do in the big moments, which has helped me.

"It's all new to me so having him there, he's definitely very calming, but at the same time he just tells me to back myself and play my natural game."

NRL ROUND 21

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium, 2pm.