Adam Elliott is determined for his year as a Canberra Raider to continue for a few more weeks after labelling his short time at the club as the most enjoyable year of his career.
Since making his club debut in round one, Elliott has become a key member of the Raiders’ side as they continue to push for a finals berth in 2022.
The 27-year-old has signed with the Newcastle Knights from 2023 but is hopeful his time in green will be extended by a few weeks with finals approaching.
Despite what happens over the next few weeks, Elliott will always be thankful for his time spent at the club.
“It's been the most enjoyable year of football I've had in my whole career, the coaching staff have been unbelievable all the way to the people who work in the office,” Elliott said.
“I'm definitely sad that I’ll be leaving but it's something I’ll always be very proud of moving forward and I'll be back at the drop of the hat for anything to celebrate with my current teammates and the club's history.”
Elliott is one of four players who will depart the Raiders at the end of the year who were recognised in the club's final home game of the season at GIO Stadium Canberra.
Departing players messages
Elliott said it was an emotional week leading up to last Saturday's match and it was about representing those departing players and making them proud.
“It was a bit of an emotional week leading up to it, not just for myself but there's a few other teammates that have been really big parts of the club,” Elliott said.
“They have been here for years and given a lot to the club so for me, it was representing those who didn't play and doing them proud because I know how much the club means to them.”
The Raiders certainly farewelled the departing players in style, claiming a dominant win that saw them enter the top eight for the first time since round three.
The Raiders currently sit eighth on the NRL ladder and can secure the last finals’ position with a win over the Tigers this weekend.
While it will be emotional to say goodbye to his teammates, Elliott admitted that he and the team are solely focused on playing finals footy in 2022.
“Whether you've got blokes playing their last game for the club or leaving to go to other clubs, it really doesn't compare to the fact that all year, all we've wanted to do is play semi finals football and be in the top eight.”
“We just want to play finals footy because that's all we have wanted to do since November. So it's been a really long build up and we've put ourselves in a really good situation so it's up to us to go through with it.”
Elliott admitted that he is fully aware of what a team like the Wests Tigers can bring to a match after being in that same position for the past few seasons.
“After a really good win on the weekend, we have taken a bit of confidence off that and the past couple of months so there's a bit of energy and vibe building now. We know what we have to do this weekend to make sure we finish in the top eight,” Elliott said.
“Previously being at a club where you knew your finals dreams were over the last few rounds of the comp gives you a bit of freedom and players playing with some pressure or weight on your shoulders, when that disappears and they play a bit more free-flowing it’s always dangerous.”
Elliott will start at lock for the Raiders this Sunday against the Wests Tigers, with kick-off at 4:00 pm.
