Terry Campese on Jarrod Croker’s journey from skinny Goulburn kid to grand final captain
Terry Campese knew Jarrod Croker when he was just a skinny Goulburn kid with a bad haircut. Now, the Raiders skipper has a chance to end the club’s grand final drought.
Raiders
Don't miss out on the headlines from Raiders. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPSET: How Raiders can pull it off
DEFIANT: “Let’s go win the comp, Sticky”
When Terry Campese first knew Jarrod Croker, the skinny Goulburn kid had the worst haircut of his life.
Blonde tips are a real choice in the hair department at the best of times – but why even bother if you’re covering them up with headgear?
“For years I told him to get rid of the headgear, he’s in space out there, he’s a centre,” Campese told The Daily Telegraph.
“It’s not like he’s a frontrower who needs to protect his head.
“I think he was only covering up his blonde tips and now he’s too attached to it.”
Replay the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final in full on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
The former and current Canberra captains go way back. Campese was one of the club’s senior players when Croker made his NRL debut in 2009 and the two are still good mates off the field.
Campese was on the sidelines at GIO Stadium for the preliminary final against Souths, doing some radio work for Crocmedia, and when Canberra qualified for their first grand final in 25 years, Campese and Croker were always going to find each other.
“The final siren went and I ran on the field, I forgot what I was meant to be doing,” Campese said.
“I got caught up in the moment, I wanted to celebrate with Crokes. As all ex-players and fans will tell you, it’s been a long time between drinks.
“He’s a team man, that’s why he’s the captain of the club, cause he always puts the team first.
“That’s why I love him so much, he’s always been a humble player, and to come from where has to where he is, it’s a credit to him.
“It was a special moment, and after that I grabbed whoever I could, it was like I was still playing.
“For the guys who went through the good and the bad times, I’m so happy for them. I’m happy for all of them, but especially those guys who have been there longer.”
Croker took over as captain from Campese when the latter left the club at the end of 2014 and, along with co-captain Josh Hodgson, will lead the side out for Sunday’s grand final against the Roosters.
Grand final glory eluded Campese through his decade with Canberra, with the 35-year old repeatedly succumbing to injury whenever the Raiders seemed poised to break through to the next level.
He never got to experience the club’s current success as a player, but he’s still living it – a Raiders fan growing up, Campese was cheering as loudly as anyone when Canberra secured the win over the Rabbitohs and was spotted in the sheds after the game.
“I had to see what it felt like. I’d never been in a situation like that as a Raiders player before.
“I just wanted to say congratulations to the guys, wish them all the best and tell them to seize the moment, because it doesn’t come along too often. I just wanted to enjoy it with them.
“I grew up cheering for the Raiders, and I was lucky enough to play for them and captain them, but now I’m just a mad fan again. I’m riding every wave.
“When Papa scored that try, I don’t know how many people were watching but Jesus Christ, I was up out of my seat, cheering with the crowd.
“The thing that I’m most excited about is for the younger generation of Raiders fans.
“There’s nothing worse than when you’re hanging out with your mates at the pub and people are talking about all these other teams, but not the Raiders.
“The thing I love is all the young, local kids now who love football, Canberra will be their team forever.
“It’s such a great feeling when it’s like this, everyone’s talking Raiders, everything’s green. It makes you proud to have played for the club when they’re successful like this.
“All the sad times, all the bad times, it all gets forgotten.”
Campese will be there on grand final day, along with half the ACT it seems, and he won’t be running on the field again – but he is tipping the Raiders, of course, to take the title with a 16-12 victory.
“I’ll be doing a few Bob Hawke’s in the stands, don’t worry about that, knocking a few beers back,” Campese said.
“Probably do a shoey out of Croker’s boot.”
Originally published as Terry Campese on Jarrod Croker’s journey from skinny Goulburn kid to grand final captain
NRL star charged with threatening police
Canberra Raiders veteran player Josh Papalii has been charged over an ugly confrontation with police inside a licensed venue, just weeks before he won a prestigious award.
NRL ‘choke’ job leaves star in tears
The Dragons were in the box seat for finals two weeks ago but have crashed out of contention in the most brutal of ways.