RUGBY LEAGUE
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TEMORA-born Raider Josh McCrone has one goal firmly in his sights for 2015: making his milestone 150th appearance for Canberra.
Speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, McCrone revealed he plans to use the impending NRL blockbuster with Melbourne Storm in Griffith to set his season firmly on course.
In a bid to stake an early claim for a regular berth in the Canberra squad, McCrone is eager to put a cardio-heavy preseason to the test when the Raiders line-up against Storm in the NRL trial at E W Moore Oval on Saturday week.
"This year is all about being in the 17… I just want to be in the 17," the former Group Nine representative junior said.
"I'm not sure what the role will be yet, but I would be happy to keep playing the utility-style role I was playing last season.
"I'd just be happy to be out there playing. But, it would be really special if I could get my 150th game for the Raiders. I'd like to get that this year."
McCrone spoke to The Daily Advertiser from Melbourne airport yesterday, as he and his Canberra team mates prepared to venture to New Zealand for the start of the Auckland Nines.
The two-day Auckland Nines knockout tournament will bring all sixteen NRL teams together for a nine-a-side competition boasting $2.6 million dollars in prizemoney.
Barring injury, McCrone will back up from the Auckland Nines in Griffith a week later.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it," McCrone said.
"I think the last time I would have played in Griffith was when I was playing for Group Nine against Group 20 in the under 14s. That's about 12, 13 years ago now.
"It's always great to get the chance to play in the country, but it is even better for me because I'll be back in the Riverina."
In news sure to excite NRL fans across the Riverina, McCrone declared the trial will not be taken lightly by Raiders stars - or their decorated coach Ricky Stuart.
"Ricky doesn't like losing very much so we will definitely be out there to win," he declared.
"We have been playing Melbourne in trial games for the past five years and we got them in the last two. We'll want to keep that going."
McCrone said the trial game is a good opportunity for players to access their fitness levels at the back of a demanding preseason campaign.
"Preseason has been pretty good to everyone I think," he said.
"We have done a few more kms this time so I think everyone is a bit fitter than they were last year.
"But, in saying that, it doesn't matter how many kilometres you have done until you test your match fitness. There is a big difference there."
Canberra fans can expect to see a stronger McCrone out to cement his place in the halves at the Raiders this season.
"Last year we had a massive focus on losing weight but this time we had an anaerobic base and we were trying to build muscle," he said.
"I'm a bit heavier than I was last year."
Tickets for the trial on Saturday week are available for pre-purchase at a discounted rate at www.raiders.com.au or at the Griffith Leagues Club.
Family passes are priced at $50 (2 adults + 2 children), adult tickets are $20, concession tickets are $15 and children under 16 can enjoy the night for just $10.