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Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says he signed a two-year contract extension because he wants to lead the Green Machine to a drought-breaking NRL premiership. Fairfax Media can reveal Croker has re-signed with the Raiders to stay at the club until at least the end of 2020 in a major boost before another make or break clash. Croker has committed to the new deal despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the NRL's salary cap for future years, but said he never considered going to a rival club. Croker has broken a host of club records in his 209 career games but they would all pale in comparison if he can tick off his ultimate goal of delivering Canberra a fourth premiership. "My number one goal for the club is premierships and that's why I'm hanging around," Croker said. "That's why I'm extending at the club. We know we've got something special. None of us are playing the game to break records, we're all playing for that reason - to win a comp - and I believe we can do that here. "I know we're building something really special and a lot of the other boys have extended as well. It's a pleasing sign for me as a captain, knowing that I've got the troops to come with me." The Raiders will play against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Sunday as they continue a last-ditch finals bid. They need to win just to stay in the play-off race and Croker is confident they have the strikepower to mount a challenge for a top-eight spot. Croker is the latest in a long list of Canberra stars featuring Joey Leilua, Jordan Rapana, Joe Tapine and Jack Wighton signed beyond 2018 despite the uncertainty hovering around next year's NRL salary cap. Some NRL clubs have been left stranded with the cap expected to fall at $9.2 million for a 30-man squad - well below what many have been budgeting for. The NRL and the Rugby League Players Association are still negotiating but reports say up to 11 clubs - including Canberra - could be forced to offload players if the final figure comes up short of what they've been working towards. The 26-year-old says it's a testament to the Green Machine's culture and coach Ricky Stuart that many players have reaffirmed their commitment to the club despite enduring a rough year. "After a tough year a lot of people could have shied away from it," Croker said. "There's five or six of us now that have gone out early and extended and that's a pleasing sign for me as a captain. "To see the amount of boys that have put their hand up and said we want to stay here and we want to be part of it too is pleasing for me. "We're led by a coach who is so passionate about the club and the community, it's pleasing to see the boys don't want to be anywhere else." Croker's extension will expire before he turns 30, and the Green Machine skipper laughed he has plenty more years left in the legs because he doesn't do much other than stand out on the edges. Croker maintains Canberra are building towards something big and their showing against the Cronulla Sharks suggests last year wasn't just a flash in the pan. "We could have easily dropped our bundle and fallen out the back of the competition, but we came out and beat the defending premiers and gave ourselves every chance," Croker said. "[It wouldn't be possible] without a good culture and a good group of boys, and most of all the fans. They've seen some tough losses this year and they've still been out there in minus degrees [getting] 15,000 people to a game. "It's been phenomenal. I can't thank the fans enough for all those games they've been to. They've supported us through thick and thin as well so that's another thing I love about the club." NRL ROUND 23 Sunday: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm. Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Joe Tapine, 13. Elliott Whitehead. Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Clay Priest, 16. Dave Taylor, 17. Luke Bateman, 18. Michael Oldfield, 19. Jeff Lima, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Erin Clark. Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c) 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Mason Lino 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Ben Matulino 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14. Issac Luke 15. Sam Lisone 16. Isaiah Papalii 17. James Bell 18. Jazz Tevaga 20. Chris Satae 21. Ata Hingano 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

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