Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart asked his co-captain Jarrod Croker to retire - because he didn't want to disrespect him by playing him in the reserves.
But Stuart was full of praise for the way Croker's fought his way back from two crippling injuries to within sight of his 300th NRL game.
The 32-year-old's just four games short and deserving his spot in the side - not just offensively, scoring his second try of the season, but defensively with his cool head having a calming effect on his teammates.