Croker to skip Wests Tigers clash to play 300th at home

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has confirmed he will not pick Jarrod Croker against Wests Tigers next week so the captain can play his 300th NRL game on home turf at GIO Stadium in Round 15. 

Stuart made the announcement following the side's 33-26 win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night with the Raiders later releasing a statement indicating their reasoning behind the decision.

"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," Stuart 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."

Stuart added in his post-match press conference the decision was not in disrespect to the Wests Tigers and close friend Tim Sheens, with the Raiders coach wanting Croker to enjoy the occasion in the nation's capital.

Croker required eight games in 2023 to reach the milestone after serious injuries in the past two years threatened to derail his hopes of joining the 300-club. 

He made a return to the NRL in Round 6, persevering in in reserve grade for the opening five weeks of the year before earning a recall from Stuart.

"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," Stuart said.

"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."