Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton has praised his bullish coach Ricky Stuart.

The Raiders will begin 2017 as a premiership favourite after going within a game of the Grand Final last year.

“He’s always got all the boys’ backs and backs us to the hilt,” Wighton said.

“It’s always good to have someone leading you like that. The start of the year is always hard.”

Wighton had a mixed bag in 2016 but said he was doing everything he could to improve as a fullback.

“I’ve been working hard on all the little things, so hopefully I can go a little bit better again this year.”