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
Paul Thomson
Roar Rookie
One of the most consistent players and under rated in the nrl lot of respect even though I'm a para fan
Greeneyedpete
Guest
In this day & age of the nrl picking the. Face of league it would be hard to go past Jarrod . Sure he's not the super star of some players but I remember a game at Newcastle where a group of young lads waited for Jarrod to come over to the fence to get photo or signature when I said did they think he was a good player the answer was he was their favourite player . And some of these kids had knights gear on. Take note Dave smith
Geoff the optimist from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I'm a massive fan of Croker. During a lean year he has been a consistently bright light. I also like the fact that he shows genuine disappointment when the opposition scores and hasn't given up mentally which I think some of the Raiders players may have. I think he would make a great choice as captain. He also communicates well with the media as indicated by his post match interviews. He is also very honest and isn't afraid to give the side a bake if they turn in a disappointing performance. I hope he gets some reward for his commitment in years to come. People rip into him about his defence but I still recall his tremendous defensive effort against Billy Slater earlier in the year which contributed to a rare Raiders win.
MAX
Guest
Jarrod will be old before his time. That is sad. I rate him so highly I would love to see him at Belmore.
dallas
Guest
The ball should only reach the winger when there is oppurtunity there, if your centre just passing to the winger just for the sake of it then it is just encouraging crabbing and makes it easier for the defence to push them side ways aswell. The worst place for a player to be tackle at any stage of a set of 6 is the sideline. Centres are there to run the footy and pass when there is an oppurtunity only
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
Reckon you must have missed a few passes then because NRL Stats credits him with 11 touches and only 6 runs against the Dragons and 18 touches for 9 runs against the Warriors. However overall point is valid, his tendency to go himself does limit him. But in Croker's defence would you pass the ball to Sami Sauilma or Bill Tupou or any of the other terrible players they've put outside him?
Chop
Roar Guru
He's the best option the Raiders have for the moment. He won't be a rep player until he learns to pass the ball, The last 2 games at Bruce Stadium mates and I did a count and he didn't pass a ball, not one ! He made an offload when in a tackle but didn't pass one ball before the line. His defensive lapses are partially Campo's fault because I don't think Croker had enough confidence in Campo's ability to get across and cover his man so Croker slides in early to try and help Campo out.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good for Croker. Can't see what McCrone offers on any level.
AB
Guest
Bring back Jason Smith
dallas
Guest
Fensom would also be another player that comes to mind. His has led by example since his debut in first grade. I wonder how the raiders would be goin if they still had dugan and ferguson. And how they would go next season with them two and milford. They already have a very good group of players coming through ( wighton, edrick and brenko lee, croker, papali, vaughan, cornish, shannon boyd, kennedy, fensom) along with the addition of waqa and soliola and possibly joel thompson it would make a pretty decent team. They still lack a quality half though.
Bucky
Guest
Runing through the current playing list, it is hard to identify a more suitable candidate for the Raiders captaincy than Croker. Even if the Raiders do manage to sign a player of capataincy calibre for next season, it would seem unlikely/ill advised to hand a player new to the club the capataincy without him first earning respect in the lockerroom. From the outside looking in, Croker seems to have all the qaulities you'd look for in a capatin including a rather refreshing youthful honesty when fulfilling media committments post yet another Raiders loss.
xavialonso
Guest
Fantastic! I've always been a fan of Croker and he is a rep player for sure. He just needs to work on his defence and he'll be fine.