'Aussie' Elliott Whitehead calls Canberra home

And thinking there was no way his partner was going to like Canberra.

But six years later and there's nowhere the Raiders co-captain would rather be.

He's just re-signed with the Green Machine - until the end of the 2024 NRL season - to celebrate becoming an Australian resident.

Not to mention the fact he's stepped into the leadership role alongside Jarrod Croker - a role he might have to do on his own for the rest of the campaign as Croker struggles with an ongoing knee injury.

Now the Englishman from Bradford loves the bush capital's lifestyle and can't see himself living anywhere else.

During the quiet times - coronavirus permitting - you can find him dropping a line in trying to tempt a fish to bite or off riding horses with teammate Jack Wighton.

It took him awhile to come around to the idea of becoming "Aussie Elliott", but he's glad he did.

"I finally got it after six years of being here. I could've got it after two years, but I was always stubborn and said I'd go home," Whitehead said.

"I think I've found home here now so I'm happy to be staying a bit longer in Canberra and after rugby I'll probably stay around as well yeah.

"I don't see myself moving anywhere else. I'm not really bothered about beaches and stuff like that.

"I really like the Canberra lifestyle, it really suits me and my partner, so we'll probably stay here after my career."

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But becoming an Australian citizen might be a bridge too far - although Whitehead admitted he should never say never, given he thought the same thing about becoming a resident.

"I think residency might be enough for now. I don't know if I can have an Australian passport," he said.

"But we'll see. Never say never after I said never the first time. We'll see. It's probably something I'll look into, but I'm just happy to get my residency and we'll be looking to buy a house in the next couple of months as well."

Whitehead's previously told The Canberra Times his time playing for Catalans in the English Super League helped prepare him to come Down Under.

Something his fellow Englishman George Williams didn't have the advantage of when he joined the Raiders - only to leave this year a year-and-a-half early due to homesickness.

The 31-year-old spent three seasons living in Perpignan in the south of France playing for Catalans before the Raiders came calling.

But that didn't mean there were doubts he'd done the right thing by shifting his life to the other side of the world - especially as he was flying across the bush on his way to Canberra.

"I flew to Melbourne and I was flying in to Canberra and there was not much going on when you're flying from there, and I was thinking, 'What have I signed up to here?'," Whitehead said.

"It was just sandy fields and I didn't really know what to expect.

"I spent two weeks here, went back for Christmas and I told my missus I don't think you'll like it.

"But it's really grown on me and I love it out here. The people of Canberra are great with me and I'm really looking forward to staying around as long as I can."

The Raiders were especially glad that's the case.

Not only had they landed a world-class second-rower - who's played 20 Tests for England and four for Great Britain - but one of the most durable players in the NRL.

He missed three games due to a shoulder injury this season and they're the only three games he's missed through injury since joining the Raiders ahead of the 2016 season - as well as one game due to suspension in 2017 and he was rested for the final round of the 2020 campaign.

Which means he's played 141 of a possible 146 NRL matches since coming down under - and that's not including the clash against Manly at Lang Park on Friday night.

He's also one of the most versatile players in the world - having played everywhere from the front row, to the halves and out to the centres.

There's been a noticeable growth in the way he speaks since stepping up to wear the captain's armband.

"At the start it was a bit of a different situation for me, but I feel like I'm growing into it," Whitehead said.

"I'm not the biggest talker, I try to lead by my actions, I leave that to Jarrod to do most of the talking."