Ricky Stuart has a headache he’s thrilled about ahead of Sunday’s big NRL top-four litmus test against Sydney Roosters.
The Canberra coach doesn’t have to delve too deep to remember headaches he didn’t enjoy.
This time last year the Raiders were walking wounded and languishing in the bottom half of the ladder as he scratched a team together.
Fast forward 12 months and they sit third on for and against with their best players all available to face the defending premiers at GIO Stadium.
They’ll welcome back NSW Origin star Nick Cotric (suspension) and English recruit Ryan Sutton (calf).
But Stuart faces a big decision over reigning Dally M centre of the year Joey Leilua, who has been out for 14 weeks with a neck injury.
Leilua has been named in the 21-man squad and if called into the game-day side it will likely be at the expense of in-form rookie Bailey Simonsson.
Simonsson has scored seven tries in 13 games this season, including a double against the Warriors last week which prompted co-captain Josh Hodgson to say “you just can’t move him”.
But Stuart could be poised to do just that as the club prepares for its second finals series in seven years, as it attempts to snap a 25-year title drought.
“BJ is close, yeah. There’s no caution at all there,” Stuart said.
“They’re a quality football team and whether you have an outside back on the bench, whether you have him starting, or sitting out, is a decision I’ll make on the back end of the week.
“I’d much prefer to have that (headache) than what I’ve had over many years of coaching when you’re looking around thinking ‘Who can I pick’.
“There’s been times where you’re really thinking you haven’t got that depth, so having that quality of depth is really important.”
Hodgson echoed the sentiment.
“In previous years we’ve been swapping the team around because performances haven’t been quite up to par, so it’s great this year to have some young kids really put their hand up,” Hodgson said.
“People like Bailey Simmonson, you just can’t move him, he’s playing outstanding – a young kid pushing people out of position and that’s what you want in your team.
“These are the headaches you want as a coach.”
Canberra (third) haven’t beaten a top-four side all season but Stuart refuted the Roosters (second) provided a litmus test with five rounds remaining.
“No (they don’t),” Stuart said.
“We’re improving as a footy team and still have improvement in us. I know where we can get to, it’s just a matter of keep working hard.”