Whitehead Hits 100

Author: Raiders.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 25 Sep 2019, 01:11 PM

He’s hardly missed a minute of football since joining the Canberra Raiders and now Elliott Whitehead will play his 100th club game when he takes to the field against South Sydney on Friday night.

The English international will reach the milestone in quick fashion having only missed one match in his four seasons at the club.

The second-rower has epitomised consistency since joining from Catalans for the start of the 2016 season, something which has made him a favourite of Head Coach Ricky Stuart.

2017 v Dragons: Whitehead celebrates his match winning try in golden point

"Elliott has probably been our most consistent player all season," Stuart said. "He really works hard on the field, he covers his teammate's backs so well, the boys love playing with him, [then there is] the defensive work he does with the way he pushes up off the football.

"He does fly under the radar a little bit but he makes sure I know all about it though. He certainly doesn't let me have that line of thought.”

2016 v Panthers: Elliott Whitehead makes his Raiders debut in Round 1, 2016

Although pleased to reach 100 games for the club, Whitehead remains focused on the task ahead.

“It’s a great personal achievement for myself but this week is all about the team and taking one step closer towards our goal,” Whitehead said.

Whitehead, who recently extended his stay in the nation’s capital until the end of 2022, also praised his teammates heading into Friday night’s Preliminary Final.

“It’s good having the experience in the team now,” Whitehead said. “There are boys who played over 100 games and have big game experience which will help us this finals series.”

2019 v Bulldogs: Whitehead made 46 tackles

During his time with the club to date, Whitehead has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the game with an appetite for work. The second-rower has made the second highest number of tackles at the club this season, with 810 to his name.

2018 v Knights: Whitehead scored two tries in Round 2 against the Knights last year

However, he has proven to be just as potent in attack. The 2017 NRL Coaches Award Winner ranks equal second at the club for try assists with six and has also scored three tries of his own.