Raiders coach Ricky Stuart paid Jarrod Croker the last word praise after Friday’s 34-30 win over the Bulldogs because the veteran centre inches nearer to his three hundredth NRL sport.
Croker has been painfully near the milestone for a few years now just for accidents and kind to threaten his probability of reaching it.
The 32-year-old carried debilitating knee ache in the course of the 2021 season, forcing him to endure stem-cell surgical procedure in a bid to save lots of his profession.
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He fought laborious to get again onto the sphere however spent a lot the beginning of 2022 in reserve grade earlier than a shoulder damage in June ended his season.
He vowed to return — even when Stuart instructed retirement, because the Raiders coach revealed — and he did in Round 1, albeit in New South Wales Cup.
But Croker earned a call-up to the NRL aspect in Round 6 after a number of of Canberra’s senior gamers instructed Stuart they needed to play alongside him.
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Croker is now simply 4 video games away from the massive milestone — and is doing every little thing attainable to make sure he will get there.
One person who will probably be elated if he does is Stuart, who had nothing however sort phrases to say concerning the co-captain.
“I love ‘Toots’ (Croker). I’ve said this enough times in the media before, if your children could have the integrity of Jarrod Croker, you’ll have wonderful kids,” Stuart mentioned.
“He’s a great bloke, a great captain.
Stuart is “so happy” to see Croker again “healthy” and within the 17 as a result of he’s “creating a difference” within the Raiders’ performances.
He additionally went on to disclose that he broached the topic of retirement with Croker partly due to the load of pre-season, but in addition as a result of he didn’t wish to need to power a membership legend to sit down in reserve grade.
“He’s doing a really good job because his body has copped a hammering over the last two years,” Stuart mentioned.
“I don’t mind saying it, I’ve asked ‘Toots’ to retire because his body was just not coping with the loads and he was in a position there where… I was feeling the pain that he was under when we were doing all the tough work at training and he couldn’t do it.
“He has persisted and persisted and persisted. To his credit, he said ‘I’m just happy to help the club and help the young blokes if I’m playing second grade’. He just loves the game.
“And good on him, if that’s his attitude and character.
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“But I didn’t want that which is why I asked him to look at retirement. I didn’t want to be the bloke picking him in second grade because I didn’t want to one, disrespect Jarrod Croker’s profile for what he’s done for this club.
“But I had to try and get him back to where he is today.
“His persistence and grind to get his body fit enough to play NRL it’s all credit to him and he’s doing a really good job.
“He’s got a very calming influence on that left edge.
“Toots’ character is (to) not to give up which is why he’s been at this club and playing for this club for so long.
“Our club are brawlers and he’s one of our two captains. We’ve been like that for 40-odd years, we’re brawlers here — we‘re not a glamour club.
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“I love coaching them because they are all good blokes… I understand why Jarrod wants to continue.
“I’m happy that he’s back. The boys tapped me on the shoulder and said they want ‘Toots’ back, and that was four-five weeks ago.
“If they want to play with a bloke. I’m only sitting in the box. They’re out there with him, they know better than me.”
Croker’s fellow captain Elliott Whitehead additionally lauded Croker’s perspective, saying “he could have thrown the towel in and sooked it but he worked hard.”
“Hopefully he can keep going and get his 300 games for the club because he deserves it,” Whitehead added.
If all goes to plan, Croker will play his three hundredth sport in Round 14 towards the Tigers.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au