Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will use club legend Mal Meninga in a bid to turn Jarrod Croker into "a great captain".
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Stuart is pulling out all the stops in a bid to help Canberra back to premiership contention and Meninga's input will be invaluable for Croker, given the Raiders will be without experienced injured hooker Josh Hodgson for most of 2018.
Stuart will call on the club's three-time premiership winning skipper whenever necessary after the Australian Kangaroos coach moved back to Canberra.
"One of the greatest captains we've had at this club is Mal," Stuart told NRL.com.
"I asked Mal how he was placed next year and if he'd be interested in doing something with Jarrod, and the other players.
"Mal told me he has a lighter year next year and offered to be involved with the club in any program we wanted him to be.
"I said that would be great, and he said 'Well, I am a Raider'.
"I can't think of a better person to mentor members of the NRL group, and especially Jarrod. He deserves that because he'll not only grow into a bigger and better captain, but grow as a player too.
"I'm very fortunate to have that link with Mal. We're pretty similar blokes that we both love the club and would do anything to help it. Mal is going to be a great asset."
Stuart mulled over the decision to make Croker captain in late 2014 when he was 23 years old, but he hasn't looked back for three reasons.
Ahead of Croker's 200th NRL game in May Stuart lauded his family-first mantra, his status as a one-club player in Canberra, and the fact he has done "a wonderful job" in the role.
"I was talking to [Meninga] about our leadership group here at the club and how I've got a very good, but a very young captain," Stuart said.
"Jarrod has all the integrity and respect of his fellow players. He's a local boy achieving all the goals he wants, in regards to playing.
"He's a wonderful club man with an outstanding character as a person. So that's why he's our captain. But I need some help in making Jarrod a great captain."
