Jarrod Croker is just eight games away from joining the NRL’s 300 club, but even getting on the field just once in 2023 still looms as a challenge for the Canberra champion.

Already a Raiders legend – the club’s all-time try and points scorer – the 32-year-old, 292-game veteran is racing the clock to reach the milestone as young teammates emerge to take his place in the centres.

Croker will play the club’s trial game against Canterbury in Moruya on Sunday but looks a backup option for round one, with centres Seb Kris and Matt Timoko locking down their spots when he missed all but one game last season through injury.

But he’s been back in full contact training since Christmas after recovering from shoulder surgery, refusing to let his career die without putting up a fight.

“It’d be a dream, there’s no denying that it’s what I want to do,” Croker told reporters on Wednesday.

“But not many people get to 292 either, we’ll just take as many as we can and do whatever I can for the club, whether it’s NRL, NSW Cup, or whatever it is.

“It’s hard to avoid – but I’d rather answer those questions than the people who come up to me on the street and ask if I still play.

“There was a period there I was never away from footy, never injured, and all of a sudden it’s all come in spades.”

Along with Kris and Timoko, Harley Smith-Shields is another option at centre after missing 2022’s entirety with a knee injury.

The 23-year-old penned a one-year contract extension with the Raiders on Wednesday, now locked in until the end of 2024.

“We’re probably 10 years apart in age but he’s in the same boat as me, just wanting to get back out there and play footy,” Croker said.

“He’s a good young kid, always asking questions and wanting to learn, they’re the guys you want around the club.

“Seb went away on tour and Matt was in the squad for the Kiwis, that just showed how good a back end of the season they had.

“It’s good for the depth we have … it’s tough for me cause I’ve got to get back in the team with all those players there (but) it’s a good position for the club.”