According to Billy Slater, retiring Raiders veteran Jarrod Croker has been unlucky to never play State of Origin.
The confirmation of Croker’s retirement at the end of the season was announced on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Billy Slater Podcast, the esteemed Storm player praised Croker’s contributions as “a wonderful player for a long period of time.”
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“At one point, Croker was set to break all the points-scoring records because he had an incredible run without injuries and was playing exceptional football,” he said.
“He’s probably someone who was unlucky not to play Origin,” Slater added.
However, that injury-free streak has come to an end for the seasoned center. He has faced ongoing injuries for the past three seasons, playing only 26 games since 2021 and just one game in the previous season.
Currently, Croker is battling a hamstring injury, which may potentially mark the end of his career with the Canberra team.
Since his NRL debut in 2009, the 32-year-old has achieved the third-highest number of points scored by an Australian first-grader, following Cameron Smith and Hazem El Masri.
He also holds the record for the most points (2358) and tries (135) scored by a Raiders player.
Croker acknowledged that his decision to retire was influenced by his body.
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“Over the past few weeks, I have been contemplating this decision, and although my heart and mind desired to continue playing for the club I love, the reality is that my body knows it’s time for me to retire,” he stated.
“I am content with the decision I have made, and for the remainder of the year, I will continue working with my teammates as we aim to reach the finals.”
Coach Ricky Stuart expressed praise for Croker, stating that he embodies the essence of playing for the Raiders.
“Jarrod Croker will be remembered as one of the legends of this club. His achievements and selflessness for the team are everything you look for in a player, and he will retire alongside some of the greatest players to wear the green jersey,” Stuart said.
“He is the epitome of what it means to be a Raider.”
The Raiders currently hold the sixth position with three rounds remaining. They will be facing the struggling Bulldogs next Sunday, followed by matches against the Broncos and Sharks to conclude the regular season.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
