7th Tackle: Cotric's big brother steps up

The one shining light in a dim season for the Raiders has been the outstanding form of rookie winger Nick Cotric.

The 18-year-old looks to be a certain representative star of the future, and hopefully for battling Canberra fans, there could be a double act in the making.

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Nick's older brother, Ilija, last week stepped up a grade to make his debut for Canberra's NSWRL feeder club, Mounties.

The 21-year-old played league as teenager but took a few seasons off before returning to the game this season.

He spent the first few months in the local Canberra competition, before starting in the centres for Mounties' third tier Sydney Shield team last Saturday night.

And judging by these pictures, Ilija's opponents would have been quaking at his imposing physique.

"His jersey looked like a wetsuit, he was so big," Mounties coach Grant Mitchell laughed.

Mitchell added that Ilija had made some strong runs in his first outing, but needs more conditioning and fitness work after coming straight from a park football background.

"I'd like to say he was a superstar, but it's too early for that – hopefully in a couple of weeks we'll see some big improvement," Mitchell said.