Canberra have suffered a huge blow with goalkicking centre Jarrod Croker ruled out of Saturday night’s NRL semi-final against South Sydney with a fractured cheekbone.
Croker, the leading points-scorer in the NRL, suffered the injury in the second half of Sunday’s 34-16 win over Cronulla in Canberra and will likely miss the rest of the season.
The Raiders were hoping Croker had only suffered concussion from the accidental knee to the face from Sharks back-rower Jason Bukuya but scans on Monday confirmed a fracture.
The Goulburn junior will meet with a surgeon on Tuesday with his return determined by the success of his pending operation.
It leaves the Raiders without a recognised goalkicker for the clash against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
A disappointed Raiders coach David Furner backed his side to cope with the big loss.
“It’s a huge blow for the team as Jarrod has been an integral part of our side this year,” Furner said.
“Having said that, we have great depth in the club in our outside backs and have several possible replacements which we will decide on later in the week.”