Jarrod Croker admits he has been through some tough times during his lengthy absences from football but hopes his return can help Canberra rediscover their NRL mojo.
Raiders captain Croker played only 12 games in 2021 and just one in 2022 as he battled a string of knee and shoulder complaints, also toiling away in NSW Cup in an attempt to prove he still belonged at the Raiders.
All the hard work was made worth it in early April as the 32-year-old helped lift the Raiders to an upset win against previously unbeaten Brisbane.
His return inspired his teammates and drew plaudits from peers including Canterbury champion Willie Mason, who suggested most players in Croker's position would have retired rather than fight their way back.
"It was tough times," Croker said.
"There's been a couple of shoulder reconstructions in there as well as backs and knees and all sorts of things.
"It gets tough but at the end of the day I was coming to work and hanging out with my mates. My job was to get my body right.
"I said at the back end of last year I just wanted to get through the pre-season ... and play some footy early on."
Coach Ricky Stuart revealed after the Broncos win that a number of senior players had come to him following the previous week's humiliating 53-12 loss to Penrith and asked him to pick Croker.
The centre was glad he could repay his teammates' loyalty with a solid showing in his 293rd game.
"It's nice to have their backing," Croker said. "We're a very tight group here, especially the senior boys have all been here a very long time.
"We love playing with each other, so it's good to know those guys had faith in me.
"It's got to go behind us now. It's about consistency and stringing a couple together."
Now the emotion of Croker's return has subsided, Canberra's task is clear - to consistently produce the sort of form that allowed them to upset the league's form side.
That mission starts on Sunday at home against St George Illawarra, where the 16th-placed Raiders will look to take another step towards closing the gap to the NRL's top teams.
