Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has acknowledged the significant challenge that lies ahead for his team, as they are set to lose almost 1000 games of experience by the end of next season.
The retirement of veteran centre Jarrod Croker, who played an impressive 307 games for the Raiders, and the departure of experienced playmaker Jack Wighton, who has moved to South Sydney, will leave a significant void in the team.
Additionally, fellow Raiders veterans Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead are also expected to retire at the end of the next season, further depleting the team's experience.
Stuart has been frank about the magnitude of the task that his team will face in the coming year, stating, "There is an enormous amount of experience that we'll be losing and it's going to be a very challenging period for us as a club." However, he remains optimistic and sees this period as an opportunity for growth and development.