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Croker closes in on Raiders' NRL record

Jarrod Croker is just nine points away from becoming Canberra's all-time leading point-scorer, and his coach hopes he does it against Penrith on Saturday.

Jarrod Croker
Jarrod Croker is just nine points away from becoming Canberra's all-time leading point-scorer. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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It's been on the horizon for months, but this could finally be the week that Canberra captain Jarrod Croker breaks the NRL club's all-time point-scoring record.

Croker needs just nine points to pass his former coach David Furner's tally of 1,218.

It's a feat he's likely to achieve on Saturday against Penrith in Bathurst.

"It'll be nice but it's not something I really think about," the 25-year-old said.

"It's something I'll look back on in a few years I reckon."

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Croker has never been the type to talk about his achievements.

"Guys like (former teammate) Alan Tongue are as humble and selfless as it gets, so I learnt off a few good people."

The centre leads the competition with 82 points after eight rounds, averaging just over 10 points a game.

Twenty of them came in last week's 60-6 thrashing of Wests Tigers via a try and eight conversions.

Coach Ricky Stuart hopes his skipper continues that form and overtakes Furner's count against the Panthers.

"It means we are scoring points," he smiled.

"For him to be able to reach this milestone at this stage of his career is a wonderful achievement.

"He's very diligent and professional the way he practices his trade."

Furner scored 49 tries and booted 511 goals in his 200 appearances for the Raiders before leaving in 2000.

Croker has already amassed 85 tries and 435 goals after 172 games, and is kicking at a rate of 81 per cent.

"He's kicking goals from the sidelines and he's very consistent at it," added Stuart.

"It's wonderful to have as a coach because he's pushing more four-pointers into six-pointers than not."

Croker admits he never really followed any goal-kickers when he was growing up, but took notice of Panthers great Ryan Girdler when he started playing in the centres.

"But there was no-one I really idolised."

CANBERRA'S POINT-SCORING MACHINES

David Furner (1992-00): 1218 (49 tries, 511 goals)

Jarrod Croker (2009-): 1210 (85 tries, 435 goals)

Clinton Schifcofske (2001-06): 1052 (44 tries, 432 goals, 12 field goals)

Mal Meninga (1986-94): 864 (74 tries, 283 goals, 2 field goals)

Gary Belcher (1986-93): 572 (69 tries, 148 goals)

Ron Giteau (1983-86): 527 (14 tries, 234 goals, 3 field goals)


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