A shoulder injury to Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker has overshadowed Canberra’s 14-4 win over the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Croker, who was playing in his first game since round 22 last year, was taken from the field in the final few minutes when he pulled up sore following a try-saving effort.
The Canberra veteran of 292 NRL games was making a defensive effort to clear the ball from the in-goal, with Matt Dufty threatening to score as the Bulldogs attempted a late fightback after failing to score points in the opening half.
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After the pair jostled and competed for the loose ball, Croker was unable to get back up on his feet, grimacing in pain while holding his right shoulder.
“He brought a lot of calmness to the game and team tonight … the boys love having him in the team,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said after the match.
“We’re not sure how bad it is, whether it is dislocated or popped out.
“Over the next 24 hours, we will find out.”
The injury at the time stunned Fox League caller Dan Ginnane, with fears the 31-year-old could be set for another uphill battle back from injury.
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“The green whistle, that’s a terrible sign,” Ginnane said.
“I hope this isn’t it for Jarrod Croker. It’s been such a tough fight to get back into this first-grade side.”
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
Late last year there were fears Croker would be forced into medical retirement after he underwent stem-cell surgery year on his knee, which left him starting the 2022 season in reserve grade before earning a recall.
Meanwhile, tonight’s result for the Raiders snaps a five-game losing streak.
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