Raiders coach Ricky Stuart paid Jarrod Croker the ultimate compliment after
Friday’s 34-30 win over the Bulldogs
as the veteran centre inches closer to his 300th NRL game.
Croker has been painfully close to the milestone for a couple of years now only for injuries and form to threaten his chance of reaching it.
The 32-year-old carried debilitating knee pain during the 2021 season, forcing him to undergo stem-cell surgery in a bid to save his career.
NRL 2023: Jarrod Croker, when will he play his 300th game, Canberra Raiders vs Bulldogs, Ricky Stuart press conference, video
'I've asked Toots to retire': Croker's Magic hand in Raiders thriller
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.
‘Crazy, incredible’: NRL erupts over wild Magic Round opener
The NRL’s fourth Magic Round has kicked off with a bang as Canberra Raiders survived a 34-30 thriller against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The match had nearly everything including some major controversy that made the scoreline even tighter down the stretch.
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The result now sees the Raiders claim a 3-1 record in Magic Round matches, while the Bulldogs have yet to...
