Croker returns after stem-cell treatment

CANBERRA’S captain and greatest points-scorer Jarrod Croker is finally back in the NRL, nine months after his last first-grade appearance and after fearing he may never play rugby league again.

After four tries in six games in the NSW Cup this year, the 31-year-old has been recalled to tackle the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium on Friday night.

Fittingly, one of Canberra’s greats returns for a game on the same weekend as the club’s 40th anniversary celebrations, which a host of the club’s old boys will attend.

Croker, who made his debut in 2009 and is nine games away from the magical 300game milestone, will one day be standing beside them – but not yet.

Suffering from a debilitating knee injury, which will lead to an eventual full knee replacement, Croker underwent revolutionary stem-cell treatment in the off-season.

Such was the pain following his final game last August, he could no longer kneel or walk upstairs without crippling pain.

Only a few players have undergone the operation in recent times, with Croker reaching out to former NSW Origin halfback Trent Hodkinson and ex-roosters captain Boyd Cordner. Both were able to play on and excel after the same surgery.

“The back-end of last year was the hardest part of my career, with the unknown,” Croker said. “Not knowing how I would react to the stemcell was tough. The surgery has bought me some time and I’m holding on for dear life.

“I’m moving way better than what I was all last year and it’s been a case of so far so good.”