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DIEHARD
More giant tasks to help Croker become great: Campese
Jarrod Croker could be one of the greatest centres in Raiders' history, says teammate Terry Campese. Photo: Getty Images
In just 23 games Jarrod Croker has done enough to convince Raiders five-eighth Terry Campese he'll be remembered as one of the Green Machine's greatest centres.
Considering the Raiders have been blessed with the likes of Queensland great Mal Meninga and 300-gamer Jason Croker, it's some rap.
But it's one Campese reckoned the laid-back 19-year-old from Goulburn thoroughly deserved.
"He's going to be up there with the greatest centres the club's seen," Campese said ahead of Saturday night's round three clash with the Gold Coast Titans.
"He's still only a young bloke and has a lot to learn and he's already playing some great football for the club.
"He's got a level head on his shoulders and improving his game."
That's the key word improvement.
By his own admission Croker has started slow out of the blocks in 2010.
In last Monday's win over the Brisbane Broncos, Croker was given a stern working over defensively.
The second-year prodigy missed six tackles in all as the Broncos ran big bopper Sam Thaiday at him all night long.
"Big Sam Thaiday, he was tough to handle," Croker said.
"Every time he got near me he kept stepping on my toe.
"I don't think it was on purpose, but he's definitely tough to handle.
"He's got a good offload, hit and spin, so he was tough."
Croker's teammates have stood by him every step of the way, none more so than Campese. The former NSW playmaker made an astounding 42 tackles in the vital 24-16 victory over the Broncos while falling off just four.
Croker is yet to open his tryscoring account for the season, a hunger he's craving to satisfy this weekend."I haven't had a lot of ball really, I need to get more involved," he said."My defence has been sort of solid, but it's got room for improvement as well.
"Hopefully get some more ball and get some meat pies on board."
Every week Croker has faced a formidable direct opponent.
In the four games so far, two of which were pre-season trials, he's already given away size and strength to Jamal Idris, Michael Jennings and Israel Folau.
The task doesn't get any easier this week against a bulked-up Joseph Tomane.
Tipping the scales at an imposing 101kg, the Titans recruit often took two or three South Sydney defenders with him in an impressive display last Friday.
The pair had previously met in the National Youth Competition when Tomane was at the Storm.
"It's another big one, he's put on a lot of weight over the off-season," Croker said.
Meanwhile, former Queensland representative Adam Mogg was yesterday a step closer to rejoining the Raiders after the club confirmed he had been released from his contract with the Catalans Dragons.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner hoped to have the 32-year-old signed for the rest of the season by the end of the week.
The Raiders had extra reason to celebrate, with membership numbers passing the 6000-barrier for the first time.
That easily eclipses the previous best of 4815 set last year.
Canberra Times