Rugby League

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England Rl

22 Dec 2021

Interview | Whitehead looks ahead to first full season as Raiders captain

Elliot Whitehead begins his seventh NRL pre-season, but the first as captain of the Canberra Raiders. The former Super League star speaks about leading the team out on the field and more.

"It's the first season you’ll start as Raiders captain, will you approach it any different knowing that?" 

Elliott Whitehead: I just have to lead by example, especially when it comes to conditioning. Try lead the way and stuff like that, I know it's a bit harder me being a forward and some of the backs are a bit quicker, but I'll be doing everything I can to make sure we prepare well going into the season.

"Just looking at some of the young guys out there now, gone are the days where were worried about backs and forwards, it’s just too tight of a competition now…" 

Elliott Whitehead: Definitely. We've got a great group of young boys there and I'm sure they're ready to step up if they have to this year, we'll have all trained hard and we'll all be prepared as well. Our main focus is being prepared for the season and we'll be doing everything we can to be the fittest and best team we can be.

"Do you feel like you’re settling into the captaincy gig now that you’ve had a few games under your belt?" 

Elliott Whitehead: Yeah definitely. I think last year, was a bit of an awkward situation at the start and I probably wasn’t as comfortable, but it’s a new year this year and I have to take it with open arms and that’s what I’ll be doing. It’s my first full year as captain now and I’ll be doing everything I can to lead the boys around.”