Canberra playmaker Josh McCrone plans to use the Raiders’ pre-season NRL trial in Griffith to show coach Ricky Stuart he deserves a spot in the club’s best 17.
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McCrone and his teammates head to the Riverina next week for the showdown against the Melbourne Storm at EW Moore Oval on February 7.
The Raiders players have plenty of incentive to impress Stuart, who is trying to mould the group into a top-eight side following last season’s disappointing 15th place.
At 27 and with more than 100 NRL games to his name, McCrone is one of the more experienced players on the Raiders roster.
But that doesn’t guarantee him a start.
McCrone said locking down a regular spot in first grade would be a massive challenge.
“I’m just looking to get back into that first 17 somewhere and staying there for the year,” he said.
“I’m not really fussed about what number I put on.
“Ideally, it’ll be in the starting team somewhere.
“But even if I come off the bench, I just want to be in the 17.”
McCrone knows all his teammates will harbour the same desire, which is why every hit-out before round one is important.
The Raiders started pre-season training in October, and McCrone said the summer slog had them eager for a game.
“It’s exciting to test yourself and see where you’re at,” he said.
“In the pre-season, you do a lot of running, but you never really know how you’ll go until you play 13-a-side.
“All the boys just want to get out there and play.”
While there will be inevitable rustiness, McCrone said Stuart wouldn’t tolerate a sloppy performance against the Storm.
“Ricky’s a fairly competitive type of bloke,” McCrone said.
“He wants to win everything. I can’t see him experimenting too much with the side and letting the result slip.”
Many commentators have already written off the Raiders’ premiership chances for 2015, but McCrone believes the youthful nature of the Canberra squad is cause for optimism.
“If we start something here, it could be around for a while and bring us success,” he said.
Tickets for the trial can be bought before game day at Griffith Leagues Club or www.proticket.com.au