Canberra will be forced to pursue an unlikely run at the NRL finals without captain Jarrod Croker.
It’s unfamiliar territory for the Raiders, as the centre has been one of the most durable players in the league since his debut in 2009.
With scans confirming he needs surgery on his dislocated knee cap, ruling him out for the rest of the season, Croker will finish 2018 with his fewest games in a year.
Despite being only 27, Croker has already made 230 appearances for the Green Machine and his worst games output in a season previously was 21 in 2009 and 2013.
He is scheduled to have surgery next week and aiming to start training again by the end of the year.
Hooker Josh Hodgson, who is only four games into his comeback from ACL surgery, will take on the captaincy in Croker’s absence.
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana admitted it would feel strange without Croker on the field.
“In a way the boys will lift for him with him being out and I just wish him all the best with his recovery,” Rapana said.
“The sooner he’s back, the better.”
Not only does Croker leave a centre and leadership hole, but he is the club’s designated kicker.
Halfback Aidan Sezer filled the kicking void when Croker left the field after 30 minutes against the Cowboys and made five of six conversion attempts.
Journeyman Michael Oldfield, who signed a new two-year contract with the Raiders on Tuesday, is expected to shift into the centres.
Canberra have already been hard hit with the NRL suspending fullback Jack Wighton for the rest of the season after he pleaded guilty to assault charges.
That’s on top of being without forward Shannon Boyd (calf) and Joseph Tapine (suspension).
But replacement fullback Brad Abbey will return for Friday night’s clash with Cronulla, allowing Nick Cotric to move back out to a wing.
By smashing North Queensland last Saturday while Brisbane lost to the Warriors, the ninth-placed Raiders moved to within two games of the top-eight.
But Canberra’s loss to the Broncos last month, when they lead 16-0 at halftime, could prove to be the difference between making the finals and missing out.
