The Canberra Raiders have secured one of their brightest young talents, with Lachlan Croker signing a new deal with the club until the end of the 2017 season.
A Goulburn Junior, Croker has been a star performer in the Raiders junior grades at halfback, and he’s made his way through the ranks into the Raiders NRL squad for the 2016 season.
Croker is still eligible for the Raiders NYC team in 2016 and had his first taste of senior football at the 2015 Auckland Nines, where he was part of the Raiders squad for the nine-a-side tournament.
A famous name amongst the Raiders club, Croker is the nephew of club legend and 300 game NRL player Jason Croker.
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Croker said he’s extremely excited to remain with the Raiders for another two seasons and hoped to learn as much as he can as he worked with the Raiders NRL squad and Coach Ricky Stuart.
“I’d love to play my whole career here if I could and I know I have to work really hard now to make sure I’m doing everything right to develop my game and become a better player,” Croker said. “There are some really talented players in my position at the club so I’m keen to learn from them and hopefully get an opportunity at some stage.
“Ricky has shown some faith in me by allowing me to move into the top squad for the next two years so it’s up to me to take the opportunity and make the most of it.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner said although Lachlan carried a famous name he was his own player and he believed he could be a long term prospect for the club.
“He’s got the burden of a famous name behind him, but he’s got a great attitude and he’s a terrific kid. He’s the current NYC Captain and he’s also studying at the University of Canberra, and I know Ricky will wait until he’s ready before he moves him into the NRL team,” Furner said. “He’s a local product from Goulburn and he wants to remain in the region which is a big positive for us and he’s definitely part of our plans going forward.
“Lachlan’s re-signing continues a long line of players who have progressed through our junior ranks into the NRL squad.”
