Canberra Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker says the pain of grand final defeat will still fuel the Green Machine after the NRL and the players association reached a pay deal to return to training.
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The Raiders will run on to their $19 million Braddon training field for the first time when they come together as a group on Wednesday morning, restarting their journey for premiership redemption.
Teams will be limited to training in groups of 10 this week as part of strict biosecurity measures, but are expected to resume full sessions next week.
But the fact the Raiders will take the first steps towards getting back to a season will give all Canberra fans a glimmer of hope after the team won its first two games before the coronavirus shutdown.
It was just the second time in 15 years the Raiders had been undefeated after the first two weeks of a campaign and their was an air of excitement about being able to make amends for grand final heartbreak last year.
So Croker said it was time to leave home rennovations, workouts and part-time jobs behind to put all of their energy into chasing their title goal.
"There's still the burning desire. It was just paused, if anything," Croker said.
"The passion is still the same, the drive is still there and we spoke briefly about making sure we recapture the standards we started our season with.
"That starts [on Wednesday]. Not May 28 for the first game. It starts when we start training again, we've got to make sure we recapture all the little things we were doing since the end of last year.
"That's what we're out to do - to go one better. And judging from how all the boys are, the desire is certainly still there so I'm sure everyone will rip in straight away."
Raiders players were briefed about their isolation responsibilities on Monday, with some players unable to see family members under the current arrangement.
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Croker will miss his mum Pauline's birthday on Wednesday and Mother's Day celebrations this weekend, saying it was up to every player in the squad to help each other cope with the changes.
At least one NRL player has been forced to find alternative accommodation because of the strict biosecurity measures. Canterbury have confirmed one player, believed to be winger Marcelo Montoya, will have to move out due to his mother working in aged care.
ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys remained bullish however, declaring the competition on track to start in three weeks.
"It is full steam ahead for the resumption of the competition on May 28. All eyes will be on the NRL as the only live sport on television," V'landys said on Tuesday.
"There will never have been more interest in rugby league than on May 28. Rugby league is part of the social fabric of so many communities.
"In these difficult times it will provide a tonic for so many seeking a form of normality during a period where nothing is normal."
Melbourne was also still seeking final approval to set up a base in Albury, with the council scheduled to meet on Tuesday night.
The Raiders, however, have been given a lime green light to train at their so-far unused facility in the centre of Canberra and potentially even play in the capital if the NRL approves.
"Every club will be saying we can't afford to not be ready to go. We're 24 days away from the first game," Croker said. "Everyone needs to hit the ground running, be at your best from day one.
"We know we've got to keep doing what we've been doing, but do it better."
The NRL is yet to finalise its broadcast deal, but the players ave signed off an a rejigged wage deal to secure their income.
"We said from the start we are all in this together and our players have proved that," V'landys said.
"Many of them are making significant sacrifices for the competition to re-start and that is not lost on anyone."
"The New Zealand Warriors and the Melbourne Storm have had to leave their homes and their families and on behalf of all rugby league fans we thank them for that and we thank all players who will be living with stronger restrictions than current government health orders."
Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton hailed the league for the haste in which the new deal was struck.
"We worked through arguably the fastest and most collaborative process in the game's history to secure clarity and clear direction for the industry and our members,'' Newton said.
"We set a new standard which should become the hallmark for our industry which will give us the best chance to build a more sustainable and solid foundation for the game's future."