Jarrod Croker on ABC Canberra Grandstand

[greeneyed]

Jarrod Croker interview:

Not doing a lot on the day off, probably watch a few horse races this afternoon and have dinner with mates. Will get back to the hard work on Monday. Never been in this situation before, I'm sure most players would want a week off to rest up and recover. Back to training Monday all guns blazing.

Had couple of extra days off this week, had sessions on Wednesday and Friday, heavy session yesterday at the stadium. Doing some k's as you don't want to lose fitness... tried to simulate a match yesterday. Monday, Tuesday next week will be a bit of work, ball work. Will do some work focused on the opponent, couldn't do it last week as Manly and Souths are a bit different.

We were at the stadium yesterday, watched the game between Manly and Souths together upstairs afterwards. Some boys love to watch the game, some don't like watching a lot of footy. I watched the first half and went home and saw the second half at home. I went to bed excited, which I didn't want to do. Want to take my mind off it this weekend.

Monday and Tuesday, all the media will be in. We've handled it pretty well, not too much hype last week, all the tickets for friends and family are organised, it is just about the footy now. Captain's run on Thursday. Will be a long day on Friday, but it will be important not to get too wound up early.

Got a few tickets for Goulburn sorted, close friends and family, the rest are members and can sort themselves out!

Gary Belcher interview:

1989... never stopped celebrating! This time of year always brings the memories back, but its 30 years, and now with the team doing so well that brings the memories back too.

The club has done things really well for the 30th anniversary. Hall of Fame dinner and the reunion. Ricky has been one of the big drivers of that. I feel part of the place when I go back now.

Had a chat with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Popped up from no where. I'm proud of him.

1989 was not as crazy as 1987. We had a parade in 1987 before the game, but 1989 was more restrained. Trepidation, mixed with excitement, we went in as underdogs.

There had been plenty of green through the finals, bus loads of people going up. Not surprised that there were so many Raiders fans there in 1989 at the Grand Final. Plenty of Queenslanders in the team back then so we had a lot of Queensland support, now every English person will be following the Raiders!

The Grand Final. The ground was a bit of a mess, a bit dry. It was low scoring for most of the first half. But though the score was 12-2 at half time, we still thought we were a good chance. I was releived when I scored, as we'd been pumping in attack, but it was getting pretty late in the game when I scored. When Chicka Ferguson scored, and Mal Meninga converted, the Tigers had some players off, we were full of running, and we were always going to back ourselves in extra time.

Thought Chris O'Sullivan field goal was a bit of a selfish play, as I thought we could score a try, but Chris overruled everyone else... and when it went over, I was as excited as anyone else. Great kick.

Steve Jackson try. I was a fair way back, I wasn't going to get close to him. He wasn't passing anyway, he just kept going and going. Mal Meninga missed the goal, so it meant we had to switch back on and defend. It was a bit nerve racking, but with Ricky Stuart's kicking game we always thought we'd be able to get out of any trouble.

Celebrations were crazy. We got on a chartered flight, due to an airline strike. There was no beer in the plane! I'd only had about half a beer. We went back to Mawson and Queanbeyan and there were thousands and thousands of people there. Canberra went off like it never had before and probably has never since.

Current team is resilient, very close. They understand how privileged they are. There's good talent and some good leadership. I do see some similarities to the 1989 team, it's their toughness that make my chest puff out. They're definitely good enough to get to the Grand Final. Got to get there first and then see what happens.

* This is a summary only of the interviews, it is not intended to be a transcript. It was written as the interviews unfolded and I attempt to use as many of the words and terms as possible.

You can listen to a podcast later this afternoon here: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/p ... d/11514082

Jarrod Croker and Gary Belcher can be heard from the start of the program.

[Billy Walker]

Jarrod Croker interview:

Not doing a lot on the day off, probably watch a few horse races this afternoon and have dinner with mates.

You don’t feel like grabbing a kicking tee and doing a few extras champ? Maybe try and knock a tackle bag over? Hmmm

[greeneyed]

Jarrod Croker interview:

Not doing a lot on the day off, probably watch a few horse races this afternoon and have dinner with mates.

You don’t feel like grabbing a kicking tee and doing a few extras champ? Maybe try and knock a tackle bag over? Hmmm

Seriously... give it a rest!

[-PJ-]

He went to bed excited, which he didn't want to do..

[raiderskater]

Jarrod Croker interview:

Not doing a lot on the day off, probably watch a few horse races this afternoon and have dinner with mates.

You don’t feel like grabbing a kicking tee and doing a few extras champ? Maybe try and knock a tackle bag over? Hmmm

Oh, will you just **** off with this already...

[The Nickman]

See Billy? It’s not just me, mate

[Northern Raider]

See Billy? It’s not just me, mate

Yes it is. You just logged in with your other accounts.

[The Nickman]

Haha yeah, my Fergus and Raiderskater alts

I keep those accounts around for whenever I have to complain about the NRL and how unfair it all is

[greeneyed]

Haha yeah, my Fergus and Raiderskater alts

I keep those accounts around for whenever I have to complain about the NRL and how unfair it all is

You don't need alternate accounts to complain... you're complaining constantly!

[The Nickman]

Haha yeah, my Fergus and Raiderskater alts

I keep those accounts around for whenever I have to complain about the NRL and how unfair it all is

You don't need alternate accounts to complain... you're complaining constantly!

Hahaha the ironing

[raiderskater]

See Billy? It’s not just me, mate

Yes it is. You just logged in with your other accounts.

I think it would be fun to get Rickman on some ice skates...

[The Nickman]

See Billy? It’s not just me, mate

Yes it is. You just logged in with your other accounts.

I think it would be fun to get Rickman on some ice skates...

I’ve skated before, and I probably will again

[greeneyed]

Haha yeah, my Fergus and Raiderskater alts

I keep those accounts around for whenever I have to complain about the NRL and how unfair it all is

You don't need alternate accounts to complain... you're complaining constantly!

Hahaha the ironing

I've done some analysis and 67.2 per cent of your posts are just posts complaining about what other posters post!

* May or may not have done any analysis.

[-PJ-]

67.2% of Nickmans posts are whinge.

That's over 22,0000 posts

[The Nickman]

67.2% of Nickmans posts are whinge.

That's over 22,0000 posts

Well, the numbers check out

As you were, gentlemen