‘Tough to watch’: Jarrod Croker suffers injury blow in long-awaited NRL return

Jarrod Croker’s long-awaited return ended in heartbreak, with the Raiders veteran walking off the field with his arm in a sling.

Jarrod Croker of the Raiders. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Jarrod Croker doesn’t deserve this.

The Canberra Raiders co-captain’s long-awaited return to the NRL ended in heartbreaking scenes, with the 31-year-old walking off the field with a suspected dislocated elbow.

Croker was treated by medics after attempting to prevent a try late in the second half of Canberra’s 14-4 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at GIO Stadium.

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Replays showed the veteran centre gingerly clutching at his right arm after making a defensive effort to clear the ball from the in-goal in the 75th minute.

Croker was later helped off the field with his jersey acting as a sling.

“He deserves a break,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane said.

“Boy he’s in pain.

“Obviously this is of concern … the green whistle, this is a terrible sign. Boy I hope this isn’t it for Jarrod Croker.

“It’s been such a tough fight to get back into this first-grade side.”

Jarrod Croker of the Raiders is taken from the field. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Croker, who is just eight matches away from reaching the coveted 300-game milestone, was playing his first NRL match since Round 22 last year.

There were concerns he would be forced into medical retirement after undergoing stem-cell surgery on his knee last year.

News Corp reporter David Riccio tweeted: “This is tough to watch. The joy, the relief, the determination and desire in Jarrod Croker’s voice when he spoke earlier in the week down the line about returning to the NRL for Raiders was akin to a teenager on debut. Hoping he plays in green again.”

Croker had contributed seven runs and a tackle bust before the untimely injury.

Meanwhile, Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad failed to finish the game after suffering a bad cork, adding to Canberra’s injury woes.

There may also be some State of Origin concerns for the Queensland Maroons, with Josh Papalii appearing to injure his left knee minutes later — however he managed to play the match out.

man, why's it got to be like this

— Nick Campton (@campo37) May 6, 2022

That is NOT what anyone wants to see @RaidersCanberra#NRLRaidersBulldogspic.twitter.com/bRhTntcq7f

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) May 6, 2022

The Raiders peppered the Bulldogs’s defensive line throughout the game, crossing several times only to be denied by officials.

Canberra had 56 per cent of possession and played nearly 70 per cent of the game in Bulldogs country. They also forced three dropouts, and won the penalty count 7-5.

While Ricky Stuart will be happy with the two points, he will no doubt feel this was a missed opportunity to swing some for and against back towards the black.

“Nobody on the outside understands how hard it is, losing five in a row,” he told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“Our senior players have been instrumental in the last five weeks and keeping everyone upbeat, get to training and start again.

“We don’t like losing, we’re like all our supporters – we don’t go and prepare to lose.”

The 10-point victory ends a frustrating five-game losing streak for the Raiders, who temporarily climb up to 12th on the NRL ladder.

The men in green with will face the Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, May 15, with kick-off scheduled for 1.50pm AEST.

— with Damien McCartney, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as ‘Tough to watch’: Jarrod Croker suffers injury blow in long-awaited NRL return