NRL: Croker is not a choker

Jarrod Croker feels the pain. Photo / Getty Images

Blame it on the sunshine, blame it on the moonlight, blame it on the good times - just don't blame it on Jarrod Croker.

The young Canberra centre awoke yesterday morning realising his worst nightmare had, in fact, become reality; his late missed penalty goal from almost in front of the sticks costing the Raiders any chance of forcing golden point in their 26-24 semifinal loss to Wests Tigers on Friday night.

A week after celebrating his 20th birthday with a perfect four from four with the boot in the win over Penrith, the miss was a harsh end to what had been a breakout year. But to a man, Raiders players and officials refused to attribute any blame to the Goulburn junior.

"His goalkicking put us in this position," Raiders coach David Furner said.

"He kicked all his goals [against Penrith], he's been winning some games for us where he's turning those four points into six points - no way that was his fault.

"He'll be stronger for that - he's a very good kid and he's a very good goalkicker."

Canberra co-captain Terry Campese, who handed over the goalkicking duties to Croker mid-season, was equally supportive.

"Croaks is a bit disappointed but he's seriously won us the last four games, hasn't missed a goal," Campese said.

"That's just what happens in football and I think he's a great young player and he can definitely go forward."

Tigers skipper Robbie Farah, who missed three field goals that would have won his side's qualifying final epic against the Sydney Roosters the previous weekend, rushed to Croker after the game to offer words of encouragement.

For the Tigers it was an eerily similar ending to one they experienced last month, when Parramatta sharpshooter Luke Burt missed a penalty from an almost identical spot to kick-start the Tigers' charge to the finals. It wasn't lost on the Tigers, and some of them reportedly yelled out 'Luke Burt' as Croker lined the kick up.

"Obviously after last week I know what the kid was going through and that's going to hurt him a bit, but I just told him to keep his head up," Farah said of his chat to Croker.

"He's a great young kid. He's had a great year and I know he'll bounce back from that so it's going to hurt him for a bit but, like I said to him, he's a quality player and he'll be back."

- AAP