One of the big talking points heading into round 14 of the NRL premiership has been something that was never going to happen.
The Canberra Raiders claimed a wild 20-19 thriller over the Wests Tigers in Campbelltown but the biggest conversation starter was the decision to rest Jarrod Croker ahead of his 300th game.
The 32-year-old Croker has been a loyal and reliable servant and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart stunned the NRL when he announced last week that the veteran centre would not play in round 14 in order to play his 300th match in front of his home crowd.