'That's leadership': Stuart fires back at critics of Croker call

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart knew he was taking a risk by leaving Jarrod Croker out of Friday night's clash with Wests Tigers but it's a call he would make again in a heartbeat to ensure the Canberra faithful get to be part of a magical moment in the club's history.

Seemingly coasting at 18-0 with 12 minutes to play at Campbelltown Stadium, the Raiders lost Tom Starling to the sin bin and gave up three tries and a field goal in the space of seven minutes to trail 19-18.

Retaining their composure in a frantic finish, the Raiders worked their way down field and snatched victory with a penalty goal after Jamal Fogarty had his legs taken out while attempting a field goal.

The nailbiting 20-19 win ensured the Raiders head into Croker's 300th game on a high when they host the Warriors in Round 15, but even had the result had gone the other way, Stuart was adamant he had done the right thing by the club's favourite son and the fans.

"I'm only one of the leaders of this club and it was a risk, but in leadership you've got to take a risk," Stuart told media post-match.

"These muppets who've been bagging me, they're all the guys who read the text books and talk about courageous leadership and man management and go out and talk at corporate functions but they can't actually execute it.

"They're not the people I want in my football team, they're not the people I want in the trenches with me.

"There wasn't a player there tonight that didn't want Jarrod to play his 300th at home. I didn't plan this last week. I did the right thing by all our Canberra fans, not to go out and buy their tickets and come here, to save their hard-earned money, because I wanted to make sure they knew that I was resting Jarrod this week.

"I could have kept Jarrod in the team all week, they would have bought their tickets and the poor buggers would have had to come up here after work tonight to see Jarrod play his 300th, but no I did the right thing, I was open and honest.

"It really pissed me off that these so-called experts, who have never man managed, who have never been leaders in terms of making tough decisions... that was a big risk tonight and I knew I was going to cop it if we lost but I was prepared to take the risk, that's leadership."

Having forced his way back into Stuart's side in Round 6, Croker had played seven games on the trot, racking up 72 points and helping the Green Machine get on a huge roll after starting the season 1-4.

Given Croker's wretched run with injury in recent years and the fact he is closing in on his 33rd birthday, the decision to give him a week off would not have created a ripple had it not been for the 300th game milestone.

"This will be one of the biggest events we've had for a player in Canberra," Stuart said.

"One of my best mates, Jason Croker, he had to play his 300th in Brisbane, so be it, but I made a decision I want Jarrod to play his 300th at home.

"It'll be a great event for the club. The Raiders get nothing, we're battlers, we're just brawlers, you could see that tonight and we're good at it and we're happy to be proud of it but we'll have a great event this week and Jarrod Croker deserves everything he gets next weekend.

"He'll have to bring the energy though because he's playing in a team that are very wounded and tired."