Jack Wighton holds the key to Canberra Raiders

Wighton's part of a Raiders left edge that's starting to gel and the return of winger Nick Cotric (quad) to face Manly at Mudgee on Saturday will help further build their combination.

The left edge has scored half of the Green Machine's 10 tries in the opening three rounds, with centre Matt Timoko scoring the first two his career in the win over the Gold Coast last week.

That ended a dry start to his career 14 NRL games in.

Wighton, the 2020 Dally M Medallist, was brilliant in kick starting the Green Machine in their second-half comeback against the Titans.

And he'll again be a key for the Raiders against the Sea Eagles on Saturday.

He was back to his running best in the second stanza last week, with his kick chase sparking the team into life.

It wasn't lost on Starling that the return of young halfback Brad Schneider to the No.7 jersey had helped Wighton rediscover his best.

Schneider's a veteran of just three NRL games, but the way he's stepped up in the absence of Jamal Fogarty (knee) has helped take some of the focus off Wighton.

And Wighton's someone you want to keep an eye on.

"When he's on, we're on. He's a strike weapon in defence and attack - you can see some of those big shots he hits. And in attack he's our go to," Starling said.

"Schneids was big too - he took a lot of pressure off Jacko too to let him play that game.

"He's massive, we can't forget about 'Schnitz'. He's stepping up as a young fella, which is good - it's what we need."

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The Raiders' left edge is showing the potential of becoming lethal, with Timoko's brace helping take their tally to five already this season.

Cotric returns to join Wighton, Timoko and second-rower Hudson Young on the left after missing the past two games.

Timoko was relieved to finally score his maiden NRL try in his 14^th game - which spanned across the past three seasons.

The 22-year-old was still getting used to playing alongside Wighton, with the pair both having the ability to breaks defensive lines with their running games - Wighton with his power and Timoko with weaving pace.

"I'm still getting used to playing outside Jack. He's a world-class half - he's represented his state and country," Timoko said.

"His attack is one of the best of the halves - best running game - his defence, I wouldn't want to run into Jack. He's just a world-class player.

"I haven't been able to gel with Nick yet, but the combinations are coming. Hudson's been on fire since the start of the season and we can only get better from here."

Young praised Sebastian Kris for his efforts on the wing in Cotric's absence.

Kris has been forced into his second stint of isolation this season as a close contact.

Cotric's return adds another big body for big carries out of yardage - just like what Jordan Rapana's return from suspension brought to the right wing on the weekend.

"[Cotric] gets our sets off to a massive start and he can finish tries, but Sebby has done a great job the last two weeks," Young said.

"Being able to play next to Jack is a massive thing for me. It gives me great confidence and obviously Matty is a little livewire.

"It feels it's gelling well together and hopefully it only gets better as the year goes on."

NRL ROUND FOUR

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea-Eagles at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee, 5.30pm

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

Sea Eagles squad: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau'atu, 12. Andrew Davey, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Karl Lawton, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Taniela Paseka. Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Josh Aloiai, 20. Tolutau Koula, 21. Jorge Taufua, 22. Kurt De Luis, 23. Christian Tuipulotu, 24. Alec Tuitavake.

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