Having announced his NRL retirement at the conclusion of the previous season, Jarrod Croker has made a surprising return to the Canberra Raiders, where he made 300 appearances in first-grade matches.
Croker’s comeback to the Raiders won’t see him donning his boots; instead, he will take on a coaching role under Ricky Stuart. In his new capacity, he will serve as a mentor for outside backs and focus on refining goal-kicking skills.
The revered figure of the club is enthusiastic about this fresh challenge, intending to collaborate primarily with Elite Pathways coach Chris Hutchison, while also engaging with the NRL and development teams’ coaching staff.
“It’s a privilege to continue my journey with the Raiders in this different capacity, and I’m eager to assist players across various levels to the best of my ability,” remarked Croker.
“I aim to draw upon my own experiences and the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career, passing on this wisdom to the next generation of Raiders players.”
Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner echoed Croker’s sentiments, emphasizing his return as a significant asset to the coaching staff, given his wealth of knowledge and expertise.
“Jarrod brings a wealth of experience and insights to the table, making his inclusion in the coaching staff invaluable,” said Furner.
“As the club’s all-time leading point scorer and ranking third on the NRL’s all-time point scorers list, his proficiency in goal-kicking is particularly noteworthy. Jarrod’s adept communication skills will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and guidance to our younger players.”
“Furthermore, his involvement with the club’s junior representative and Jersey Flegg teams will greatly benefit our youth development programs, as they learn from someone who has traversed the pathway system from under-16s all the way to the NRL.”
