This article was originally published in August of this year. Good pick Lachlan.
In a season of misery for Raiders fans one bright spot has been the form of left centre Jarrod Croker.
His performances in a terrible team have been quite extraordinary. With 170 points and 17 tries, he has scored nearly 45 per cent of the Raider’s points this season, and almost a quarter of the team’s tries.
Those figures are also enough to put him third for both points and tries scored in the league, and he remains a chance to nab one or both of those titles.
Moreover, in a team that has shown conspicuous lack of commitment, Croker has been notable for his unwavering effort and dedication. His form was rewarded earlier in the year with an invitation to join the NSW team as a shadow player in the lead-up to Origin 3, and his coach has identified him as a representative player of the future.
Which is why it is so pleasing for Raiders fans to see Croker named along with Josh McCrone as one of two co-captains for this Sunday’s game against the Sharks.
This won’t be Croker’s first taste of captaincy; he was given the responsibility with the Raider’s Auckland Nines team earlier this year. However, Raiders fans will be hoping that this latest addition to his resumé is indicative of the team’s direction next season.
With Terry Campese’s position in the team under threat (at the very least), David Shillington in his last season at the club and other veterans like Brett White moving on, Ricky Stuart is presented with an excellent opportunity to set the tone for the future.
Stuart could send a strong signal that he is building a team for the long term by naming Croker as the full-time captain for next season; Croker is clearly well-respected by his teammates and is well spoken with the media.
Despite his youth he has only ever been dropped for form once, and has barely missed a game through injury. Indeed Croker will likely play his 150th game in the first half of next season, and after taking the goal-kicking duties in 2011, he is set to pass Mal Meninga as the club’s all-time third highest point scorer in early 2015.
All of this before his 24th birthday.
However youth should be no barrier to appointing Croker captain – Simon Mannering was no older than Croker is now when he took over the captaincy of the Warriors.
Critics will rightly point to his role in a leaky left edge defence which has conceded more points than any other unit in the NRL. The rotating cast around Croker on the left edge has contributed, but certainly this is an area concern in Croker’s game and has been for a number of seasons. Croker has missed the presence of Edrick ‘MC Hammer’ Lee and one can only hope that the big man can enjoy an injury-free season in 2015 to provide some additional starch.
The burgeoning partnership between Lee and Croker, of which we have only seen flashes since Lee’s debut in 2012, has all the makings of a cult NRL pairing. Tall and short, flamboyant and reserved, gregarious and circumspect – the pair make for a wonderful odd couple. In only 19 games as the left edge pairing they have contributed 28 tries. Who knows what they might achieve as a regular combination over a full season. Being part of a lethal one-two punch will only build Croker’s credibility further.
Certainly there are other candidates for next season. Croker’s co-captain for this weekend Josh McCrone is one option but it is not clear if he will hold onto his position in the team or as an 80-minute player in the medium term. Shaun Fensom is the other obvious candidate but Fensom is arguably too important to the team’s defence to worry about arguing with referees.
Joel Thompson is heavily rumoured to return to the club but while Joel is a wonderful leader again it isn’t clear what his role in the team might be.
Following the loss to the Dragons, Stuart spoke at length about the need to have time and patience to build his new squad. Appointing Jarrod Croker as captain would be an excellent way to demonstrate his commitment to those tenets.
Follow Lachlan on twitter @mrsports83
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