Mat Croker Explained

Mat Croker
Fullname:Mathew Croker[1]
Birth Date:1999 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Nabiac, New South Wales, Australia
Height:191cm (75inches)
Weight:108kg (238lb)
Club1:Newcastle Knights
Year1start:2021
Year1end:present
Appearances1:54
Tries1:5
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:20
Source:[2]
Updated:19 August 2024

Mathew Croker (born 11 September 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a and for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

Background

Croker was born in Nabiac, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Chilean descent.[3]

He played his junior rugby league for Taree City Bulls and Taree Panthers, before being signed by the Newcastle Knights.[4]

Playing career

Early years

Croker rose through the ranks for the Newcastle Knights, playing with their Harold Matthews Cup team in 2015, the S. G. Ball Cup side from 2016 to 2017, captaining the side in the latter year,[5] and finally the under-20s side from 2017 to 2019.[6] During those years, he also played for the New South Wales under-16s and under-20s teams.[6] In November 2017, he re-signed with the Knights on a 3-year contract until the end of 2020.[7] In 2020, he joined the Knights' NRL squad as one of their 6 allocated development players,[8] as he graduated to the Canterbury Cup NSW team.[9]

2021

In 2021, Croker started the year without a contract but played with Newcastle's NSW Cup squad as captain of the side.[10] Ahead of round 13 of the 2021 NRL season, Croker signed an NRL contract with the Newcastle Knights after they lost three forwards from the last round in Tyson Frizell (injury), David Klemmer (suspension) and Daniel Saifiti (State of Origin selection).[11] This allowed Croker to make his NRL debut for the Newcastle club against the Parramatta Eels which ended in a 40-4 defeat.[10] [12]

2023

Croker played a total of 24 games for Newcastle in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 5th on the table. Croker played in both finals games as Newcastle were eliminated in the second week of the finals by the New Zealand Warriors.[13]

Statistics

!Year!Team!Games!Tries!Pts
2021 Newcastle Knights2
20221614
202324312
2024
Totals42416

Personal life

Croker is currently the lead host and face of the 257 Collective podcast with fellow NRL players Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson. [14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Croker caps off stellar season. Josh. Callinan. 9 May 2017. Newcastle Herald. 4 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Matt Croker - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  3. Web site: Chile looking to regain momentum this weekend. Adam. Whitelock. 3 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Matt Croker named in NSW under 20s side to play Queensland. 9 July 2019. Manning River Times. 4 June 2021.
  5. Web site: Croker scoops junior double. 9 May 2017. Newcastle Knights. 4 June 2021.
  6. Web site: Mathew Croker. 1 May 2019. 4 June 2021.
  7. Web site: Young Knights building pathways. 23 November 2017. Newcastle Knights. 4 June 2021.
  8. Web site: Full 2020 squad list and development players. 7 August 2020. Newcastle Knights. 4 June 2021.
  9. Web site: TEAM LISTS | Canterbury Cup NSW Rd 1. 10 March 2020. New South Wales Rugby League. 4 June 2021.
  10. Web site: 'It means everything': Croker set to make dream debut. 4 June 2021. Newcastle Knights. 4 June 2021.
  11. Web site: Knights v Eels Round 13 NRL team list. 1 June 2021. Newcastle Knights. 4 June 2021.
  12. Web site: Milestone men Gutho and Sivo shine; Over-keen Knights 'panic' on old boys day: 3 Big Hits. www.foxsports.com.au.
  13. Web site: NRL 2023: Newcastle Knights season review. www.sportingnews.com.
  14. Web site: 257.collective. www.instagram.com.