Jarrod Croker is finally set to play his 300th NRL game for the Raiders - but he will be waiting an extra week to reach the milestone.
After battling through numerous injuries and form concerns in recent years, Croker has returned to the Canberra lineup over the past two months, winning seven of his eight appearances.
The veteran centre played his 299th match for the Green Machine in their Round 13 victory against the Rabbitohs and looked set to run out in Round 14 against the Tigers.
But in a surprise call from the club, Croker will instead sit out the clash and instead bring up the major milestone in front of his adoring home fans at GIO Stadium on June 9th against the Warriors.
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Ricky Stuart explains Jarrod Croker decision
Following the win over South Sydney, head coach Ricky Stuart made the announcement that Croker would be "rested" for the match against the Tigers.
With a storied history as a one-club man, Croker has earned the right to play his 300th game in front of the Canberra faithful according to Stuart.
“As a club we’ve made the decision to rest Jarrod against the Tigers next weekend to give him the opportunity to celebrate this very significant and important milestone at our home ground in Canberra,” he said.
“Jarrod will become only the second player in our club’s history to have reached 300 games for the Raiders and we wanted to make sure he had the opportunity to do it in front of all the people who have made his wonderful career possible.
“Jarrod is already the club’s leading try scorer and point scorer and will join Jason Croker as our only 300 game players for the Raiders.
"We want to make this moment special for him, his wife Brittney and his sons Rory and Tate, for his mum and dad, his extended family and all the members and fans from Canberra and Goulburn who’ve guided him in his career.
“We want Raiders fans to come together and join us at GIO Stadium against the Warriors and give our Captain the celebration he deserves, and we look forward to a big crowd for the game.”
Cooper Cronk, Phil Gould question decision from Raiders
While some have described the move as 'disrespectful' to the Tigers on social media, Cooper Cronk's view is centred around the desire to earn two competition points.
Canberra are currently stuck in a log-jam of teams around the top-eight and Cronk told Fox League the decision to rest their captain was the wrong move.
“You scrap, you fight and you claw and the Raiders have done that to get their season back on track, winning the big bulk of games when Jarrod has been there," he said.
"That whole character and 'we are in it together' mantra, I believe runs through no matter what game you play.
“A wise old man once said, don’t count your games, make your games count... and for me, he should be playing against the Tigers."
Phil Gould also raised concerns and believes a delicate situation such as a veteran's milestone fixture should be decided upon by the player.
“It’s an interesting one," he said.
"Obviously a favoured son Jarrod Croker and they’d like to celebrate in front of the home crowd – but is it risking two premiership points not to play your best side against the Tigers? It’s one I would probably normally leave to the player.
"Ricky Stuart would have his reasons. I think they just want the special occasion of Jarrod Croker playing in front of the home crowd and they believe he deserves that.
"If he was to play this week against the Tigers and get injured, I still can’t understand why they couldn’t celebrate the 300 at home the following week regardless.
"I’m not going to criticise it, but I don’t think I would do it."
Jarrod Croker reflects on milestone 300th NRL game
Ahead of the one of the biggest moments of his lengthy career, Croker opened up on the journey and what the Raiders mean to him on and off the field.
“Everyone knows what this jersey means to me - I have spent more than half my life here and I wear this jersey with so much pride," he told the media after Round 13.
"I try to do the best thing I can for the team and the club and now I’ve got a young family, I just want to make them proud… mum and dad have been there a long time.
"I said to Stick that I’ll play anywhere, wherever you need me and I’ve said that since day one. That’s how I feel about this club and I appreciate the fact I’m gonna be able to do it at home in a couple of weeks’ time.
"I know it wouldn’t have bothered a lot of players in the team or my family no matter where it was – they would have flown to New Zealand if they had to. I’m sure they will appreciate it."
Jarrod Croker career stats
| Games | 299 |
| Tries | 135 |
| Goals | 888 |
| Points | 2,304 |
| Try Assists | 75 |
| Linebreaks | 133 |
