Croker - Expect Odsal thriller

Croker: may play on in 2009

We've got a hard game on Sunday but we've beaten them before. They beat us with a minute to go last time so hopefully we can turn the tables around. "With the way all our games have been, if I was a betting man, I'd say it will be close.

Jason Croker
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Veteran Australian forward Jason Croker is predicting another nailbiter when Les Catalans face Bradford at Odsal in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

The French side are unbeaten in eight games but have not won by more than 10 points in that run.

Croker, who joined the Perpignan club at the start of last season from Canberra, was in the Catalans team that made history by reaching last year's Wembley final and he has set his sights on going one step further this time by lifting the trophy.

"It was a good experience for me playing at Wembley, one of the highlights, but it will be bit harder this year," he said.

"You only play four games and you're in the final but we've a tough run ahead of us."

Close

Bradford were the last team to beat the Dragons, courtesy of a last-minute converted try in Perpignan in March, and Croker expects Sunday's tie at Odsal to be just as close.

"Just about all our games have been like that, which certainly keeps our supporters interested," said Croker, who scored his second try of the season in the Dragons' last-gasp 18-16 win over Harlequins in Cardiff on Sunday.

"The team is pretty fit and if we can hang in there, we've got the confidence to come through but we certainly make it hard on ourselves.

"Hopefully we can put a team away one day. It would be nice to win by more than eight points.

"We've got a hard game on Sunday but we've beaten them before. They beat us with a minute to go last time so hopefully we can turn the tables around.

"With the way all our games have been, if I was a betting man, I'd say it will be close."

Injury-free

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old is considering continuing to play next season at an age when most players have long since hung up their boots.

"I haven't decided about next year yet," he added. "I haven't spoken to my manager yet but hopefully I'll make a decision in a couple of weeks about whether to play again or to finish up.

"I'm still feeling good and the body's still holding up. I'm injury free, which is a bonus, and I'm still enjoying my footie and that's the main thing."