How the NRL's most underrated player explains the Knights

In the modern rugby league landscape, it's difficult for any player to be truly underrated. The game's coverage is more granular and intense than ever before, and fantasy sports bring every statistical contribution into sharp focus, making it hard for anyone to slip under the radar. Mat Croker, the Newcastle Knights' lock forward, has managed to do just that, despite putting together a season of low-key excellence that has earned him the title of the most underrated player.

Croker is the only Knight to have played every game this year, and his ball-playing in the middle of the field is the key to their dynamic attack. He acts as the link man to their halves, ensuring their outside players, like Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, and Dane Gagai, receive the ball if the cues are present. If they're not, Croker will simply go through the middle. The 27-year-old's job sounds simple, but it's not easy.

Croker represents Newcastle's turnaround from wooden spooners to the brink of their first preliminary final since 2013. Unlike other impressive players on the team, Croker's passing, communication, and structure help create opportunities for others to explode and dazzle with their attacking football. His impact in attack, while hard to quantify with numbers, is undeniable.

Newcastle leads the league in tries from their own half, with 31 so far, and over a quarter of those begin with Croker as the first receiver. He sets up the shape and creates time for the men outside him. His ability to chase kicks, lead line speed in defence, and slow down the ruck also adds to his value, though these contributions are often hard to measure.

Croker's improvement over the season has been remarkable. He has gone from being an occasional starter to a genuine ball-playing lock, a reflection of the trust placed in him by new coach Justin Holbrook and attack coach Steven Hales. Croker's transformation is a testament to his skills and the opportunities provided to him. He sees himself as a crucial part of Newcastle's success, and if the Knights manage to pull off an upset in their upcoming match against the Warriors, it will be Croker at the heart of it.