Raiders star Jack Wighton has passed his first Test as Canberra's five-eighth in flying colours, after critics questioned Ricky Stuart's decision to vacate the No.1 jersey.
Wighton is set to kick off the season in the attacking backline for their opening-round clash with the Gold Coast, despite spending the majority of his career at fullback.
The 26-year-old played the entire eighty minutes in the Raiders' 28-22 trial win over the Bulldogs, setting up two tries en route to victory.
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Speaking to the Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning, Canberra co-captain Jarrod Croker said that Wighton flourished on his first hit-out in the No.6 jersey.
"Jack and I, and our new fullback Charnze (Nicoll-Klokstad) were the only three blokes who played the full eighty minutes," he told the program.
"Jack needed a full hit out at five-eighth and he went really well.
"He loves that front line defence, he loves that contact, he’s a physical boy. We saw him set up a few nice tries in the second half.
"He’s a left-footer and has a nice kicking game. He’s done a lot of practice and work with Josh Hodgson."
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However, Crocker's fellow captain Josh Hodgson has since revealed that he was originally opposed to Wighton's position switch.
The English international even voiced his concerns to Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, but quickly became a convert upon his return to the pre-season.
"I didn't think it will work," Hodgson told AAP at Wednesday's Fox League launch.
"He's just too good at the back for us defensively and when he gets the ball in his hands to move him. I was pushing against it.
"But once I went to training and I saw the boys train a few times, I saw him with the ball in his hands and I changed my mind."
The Canberra Raiders will kick off their 2019 campaign against the Gold Coast Titans at Robina Stadium on Sunday, March 17.