Nick Cotric's childhood dream about to come to life in historic final

Making matters worse Nick Cotric could see a flap of skin hanging down from his nose from the stray boot he copped in his face.

Just a small scar remained as the Canberra Raiders winger readies himself to make a childhood dream come true.

The lad from Tuggeranong is about to play in the biggest home game in Raiders history - a sellout preliminary final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

But less than two weeks ago things weren't looking so rosey as he lay on the Melbourne turf and about to fail his head injury assessment.

The week off the Raiders earned from their win over the Storm has helped him heal and he was named back on his familiar left wing on Tuesday.

"I just remember I blacked out and my nose was busted all up, it was all swollen," Cotric said.

"I just got a big slice there so my skin was all dangling. You see that skin just hanging like something's not right.

"It's all good and ready to go. That week off really helped me."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

It means Bailey Simonsson will fill the utility role on the bench, with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart naming the same 17 who knocked off the Storm.

Emre Guler keeps his spot on the bench, but Ryan Sutton was named in the 21 and could be a late inclusion, while Origin star Josh Papalii was in the starting 13.

Similarly, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett stuck with the same 17 that got the job done against Manly.

Ex-Raiders Liam Knight and Mark Nicholls will both face their old club, while James Roberts and Cameron Murray were named despite being in some doubt.

Roberts (thumb) is rated a 50-50 chance, while Murray has a shoulder problem.

But there's no doubt what this game means to Cotric.

The only problem was the demand for tickets that came in from friends and family.

"Every time I speak about it I get really excited. I just can't wait," he said.

"Since I was a little kid I was dreaming about playing a semi-final at Canberra Stadium and I've got the chance to do it now.

"It's going to be a great feeling. I can't wait to get out there. It's something I've been looking forward to since I was a little kid. I'm out of my skin, I can't wait."

Cotric has had an epic start to his NRL career, playing 59 consecutive games before a State of Origin call-up for the NSW Blues forced him to miss his first NRL game.

Then he injured his ankle before he was suspended for a dangerous throw that saw him become the only player sent off so far this season.

Now he's 80-minutes away from helping the Green Machine end a 25-year grand final drought.

He's also been shifted all over the field helping fill holes in the backline wherever they arise.

Left wing, right centre, back to the wing. He even played both positions in the qualifying final win over the Storm before he got injured.

Talk about a rollercoaster.

"It's been a learning curve for me. I got a great experience over the Origin campaign and even the suspension and injury - being in rehab and having everyone support you," Cotric said.

"I took it well and got better from it and learnt from my mistakes. Now we're here. It's been a different year, but not too bad."

The 20-year-old will be up against Rabbitohs winger Campbell Graham - who he knows from under-18 schoolboys.

"That's where I got to know him. He was playing wing and I was fullback," Cotric said.

"I got to know him pretty well. He's a good kid. He's been playing outstanding footy. He's a strong, big body and it's going to be a good match-up."

NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL

Friday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm.

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. Emre Guler, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Siliva Havili, 21. Sebastian Kris.

Rabbitohs squad: 1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. James Roberts, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Campbell Graham, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Liam Knight, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess (c), 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. George Burgess, 15. Junior Tatola, 16. Ethan Lowe, 17. Mark Nicholls. Reserves: 18. Jaydn Su'A, 19. Corey Allan, 20. Dean Britt, 21. Mawene Hiroti.