One of the game's good guys finally puts finals heartbreak behind him

"I couldn't miss them," said Croker, his voice noticeably raspy after celebrating an epic preliminary final win over South Sydney. "I had about 80 or 90 tickets for family and mates, including a few of my groomsmen, and they all wore the white headgear.

"The voice is gone. I was just so excited.

"It still hasn't sunk in. I've woken up this morning and have been replying to about 160 text messages. And I haven't even been on social media yet.

"I had two or three beers, including one with my dad [Greg] in the sheds, got to bed about 3am and was up at 8am. I'll sleep well tonight."

If there is one reason to hop on the Green Machine bandwagon, it is Croker. He knows the Raiders will be everybody's second team next Sunday.

He has played more games for the club than any of his teammates, will likely finish up the most capped Raider of all time, never once entertained the thought of leaving the nation's capital and is one of rugby league's genuinely nice guys.

There have been no off-field incidents, while he has remained fiercely loyal to some good mates who have not been as fortunate, including former Raider Todd Carney. Carney spoke with Croker first thing on Saturday and let him know he'd be at the grand final, decked out in his Canberra colours.

At just 29, Croker also remains a chance to become just the second player to reach 400 NRL games, behind Cameron Smith, and sits just eight off 2000 career points.

"I didn't know that until [former Raider] Terry Campese told me that on Friday night," Croker said. "I hope I get there next week because it means we'll have scored some points."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Croker bagged a try, conceded one when the Raiders were caught short off a Souths scrum and missed a couple of conversions that evoked memories of the 2010 semi-final when his left boot proved the difference in the agonising loss to Wests Tigers.

There were no evil thoughts swirling through his mind as he blocked out the deafening noise and put his second-half attempt straight into the upright.

"It was frustrating with both kicks - I thought they were home because I struck them so well," Croker said. "The second one was hooking around perfectly and then it went the opposite way and hit the post. I couldn't believe it.

"I've actually been striking them well. Even the ones I missed in Melbourne [in week one] I hit well, so there's no need to adjust anything.

"It was good to get a finals win at home. The Tigers loss in 2010 was tough. The good thing about that loss was I was so young when it happened, I got over it fairly quickly.

"I broke my cheekbone in 2012 against Cronulla when Todd did his Achilles. Then there was the loss to the Sharks in 2016.

"We're into a grand final now. Players go through their entire careers without playing in one. We've got that opportunity."

So just why can the Raiders get the cash, 25 years since the club last celebrated a premiership?

"Defence," Croker said, as he settled in for the afternoon to barrack for Exceedance in the Golden Rose at Rosehill. "That game against Souths, we were forced to take seven or eight dropouts, and they only scored one try, in the 79th minute. Even when they did that we had 12 men.

"We've won games like that all year so it was no fluke. We've defended our way to another win. That's the main reason."

Josh Papalii was inspirational up front and five-eighth Jack Wighton brilliant. Papalii and Wighton both had their brushes with the law in recent years, which makes their own journeys to the decider extra special.

Croker, who this year shared the captaincy with Josh Hodgson - the pair will lead the team out on to ANZ Stadium together, as they have done all year - said it was magnificent the way his two high-profile teammates had made the most of their second chances.

"The way Jacko has redeemed himself and turned everything around is amazing," Croker said. "Nobody expected his transition to five-eighth to be so good. He's absolutely killed it while he's also that tough front line of defence.

"And Papa has been the best front-rower all year. I personally thought he was Queensland's best this year. For him to score that try was fitting."

Wighton clutched at his right shoulder in the second half, but Croker said, "you'd have to cut his arm off to make him miss the grand final".

"He won't be missing it," Croker said.

Canberra will turn green. So will Croker's home town of Goulburn. White headgear is optional - but desirable - for those jumping on the bandwagon.