Cooper Cronk and his Rooster connection

[King Salvo]

I think he didn't announce it as he wanted to play in the RLWC - be issues if he was then picked in the roos side possibly

[Bronterooster]

I think he didn't announce it as he wanted to play in the RLWC - be issues if he was then picked in the roos side possibly

Possibly, but I think a player of his ilk would have been given the opportunity to play in the World Cup even if he was retiring.

Personally I think the whole retirement talk has just been a ploy to soften the blow for the Storm and their fans, and to keep them onside, as they charged towards their premiership. They really left no stone unturned this year, and It's a totally different script if Cronk announces in September that he's leaving to another club.

I actually believe that Cooper would have known where he was going to play next year before he announced he was leaving the Storm. I can't see how someone would risk leaving such a stable and impressive set up, a place that he considers family, without having your alternate future planned out.

It's all just hearsay I guess. And I suppose we'll find out sooner rather than later.

Surely though, for arguments sake, and blind loyalty aside, everyone out there would have to agree that we'd be a much stronger team with Cronk as our halfback.

[King Salvo]

Possibly, but I think a player of his ilk would have been given the opportunity to play in the World Cup even if he was retiring.

Personally I think the whole retirement talk has just been a ploy to soften the blow for the Storm and their fans, and to keep them onside, as they charged towards their premiership. They really left no stone unturned this year, and It's a totally different script if Cronk announces in September that he's leaving to another club.

I actually believe that Cooper would have known where he was going to play next year before he announced he was leaving the Storm. I can't see how someone would risk leaving such a stable and impressive set up, a place that he considers family, without having your alternate future planned out.

It's all just hearsay I guess. And I suppose we'll find out sooner rather than later.

Surely though, for arguments sake, and blind loyalty aside, everyone out there would have to agree that we'd be a much stronger team with Cronk as our halfback.

He has jobs lined up at FOX and a corporate role at the Storm. wont get the million he could if he played on at the Storm - be on several hundred k though still in both these jobs - better than most people are on

[Bronterooster]

What about a couple more years earning the big bucks playing footy in Sydney then a smooth transition into a coaching role at the same club, all the while still being able to do his media stuff and hang out with his girl.

For some reason I'm just convincing myself it's going to happen.

[John Corey]

I dont think we would miss napa too much, 9 times out of 10 he dosnt play to his ability not for easts , mabye for the canetoads he does but not for us.

Bingo. The guy is over rated. Does no damage with the ball. He's a lumberer.

[John Corey]

I agree with KS (what has the world come to). Cronk to retire a One club man.

[Mickie Lane]

I don't agree with that at all.

Cronk's a very good halfback, but he is not Houdini either.

It's a team game at the end of the day. The no.7 is a vital part of the machinery, but at the same time the no.7 is not really designed as a reliable mister fix-it if the pack are being smashed/dominated or the outside backs have got butterfingers (exceptions to this rule being the genius that very few posses -Thurston, Johns, perhaps even Carney at his peak - but these are outliers, not the rule).

As a good example:
a line break is generally the result of the opposition defence going BACKWARDS. To achieve this, you need the good work of at least four players - 1 the big meter runner/quick play the ball, 2 followed by quick service out of dummy half, 3 followed by the sleight of hand of the halfback/fiveeight, 4 culiminating in a break from the second rower or center.
A no.7 can't just conjure that play out of thin air by himself.

Against the Cowboys, Fergo would still have dropped the balls, Laterell would still have fkd the kicks and the front row would still have been dominated regardless.

True but a good halfback like Cronk makes your example happen. Some guys (& there is not many of them) are blessed with extra vision. They can read the game 2 plays before the current play. They get the guys in position & they make the play where the Roosters make a break or they put the kick in that is pinpoint. They dictate the team around the park. The other players lift because of the education lesson they are getting from 1 of the best players in the game playing along side them.

[theGman]

I'm thinking of an interesting scenario. With Manu back at right centre, we can use both Cords and Aubbo for 80 minutes in the 2nd row. Matterson also becomes available for the backrow with Toops back with Mitchell as the left edge players. If Matto plays lock, which is not out of the question, then SST and/or Liu become permanently available for the Prop rotation with JWH & Tetevano. If Matto can play 80 at lock, both SST & Liu become props. We could potentially cover the loss of Napa.

Chris Smith played the later part of the year in the front-row for Wyong and impressed. I'm guessing the strength & conditioning staff will bulk him up in the off season so they can use him off the bench next year.

[Maxy Walker]

True but a good halfback like Cronk makes your example happen. Some guys (& there is not many of them) are blessed with extra vision. They can read the game 2 plays before the current play. They get the guys in position & they make the play where the Roosters make a break or they put the kick in that is pinpoint. They dictate the team around the park. The other players lift because of the education lesson they are getting from 1 of the best players in the game playing along side them.

Thanks for the education lesson man.

[The Skeez]

What about a couple more years earning the big bucks playing footy in Sydney then a smooth transition into a coaching role at the same club, all the while still being able to do his media stuff and hang out with his girl.

For some reason I'm just convincing myself it's going to happen.

I see it that way as well. Earning a couple hundred thousand in the media v earning a mill playing is quite a difference.
He would've been getting unders at Melb compared to the other 2-3 (Smith, Slater, GI) and now is his time to earn the marquee money. Why wouldn't you bank an extra $500k a year for 2 years, especially when in top form?

Originally, I thought he was going to Penrith, in an old school deal done with Gus, like he tried to lure Thurston with. It all started to make sense when Moylan was dropped.

Then all this gossip started.

Pearce has gone all zen on instagram recently which fuels the fire that something is up.

[rented tracksuit]

Thanks for the education lesson man.

By his comments, Cronk plays with a crystal ball, can predict the future and will bring a premiership to any club he plays for because his insight lifts everyone around him. I wonder if the Warriors are interrested in a premiership? Just get Cronk!

[Jacks Fur Coat]

My two bobs worth is I expect Cronk would have already announced if he was retiring. So I expect he will go around again...somewhere. It would only be with a club who he thinks are a shot at the title though.

[kakaruk]

My two bobs worth is I expect Cronk would have already announced if he was retiring. So I expect he will go around again...somewhere. It would only be with a club who he thinks are a shot at the title though.

Yep spot on Jack,but i hope its not with us.Probably cost a million dollars,Pearce would have to move to hooker then what do you do with friend .Do we really need Cronk? we have a very good roster add tedesco to our lineup,Stop playing forwards in the backline and get tough with a couple of our forwards that are not delivering every week and we will be there for the big dance next year imo.

[Moose]

Seeing that it's the off season I thought i'd share a bit of info on Cooper Cronk for those who'd like to add a little fuel to the current rumour of him joining the Chooks.

Firstly, Cooper's uncles Gary and Steve were both Bronte locals and surfers, Gary Cronk was a particularly well known and respected surfer at Bronte. When Gary passed away approximately 5 years ago the Storm wore black arm bands.

Steve and Gary's other brother was Cooper's Dad (who's name eludes me at the time of writing). Cooper's dad wasn't a Bronte local, more of a Bondi Boy I think, but he was a full on Bondi United man, both a player and clubman. He was also a madly passionate Rooster's fan. An old friend who knows both Cooper's Dad and I said to me the other day "He was as crazy for the Roosters as you are".

But alas, like many others of that generation the changing Sydney city life wasn't for them and Cooper grew up a Queenslander!

So there's a bit of background info.

Now I will add - Three weeks ago a friend of mine who is a high roller bookie told me about Cronk joining the Roosters. I laughed at the idea. He said it was all the talk in gambling circles. I'll admit It is true that the big time punters are always hunting for and often the first to find out the early mail. There's big money in it for them.

Anyway, make of it all what you will.

I have no legitimate inside info on the situation but my gut feeling is that he'll be at the Roosters next year. For 2 years I reckon. Surely he can't retire, he's injury free and playing too well, and the money is way better than any tv gig. He's moving to Sydney, we know that, so if he does play on I can't see any other Sydney club being a better fit. Nick has influence and it's the type of deal that I could see him making. It just reeks of Uncle Nick... And Cronk's got Rooster blood for god sake!

We'll see I guess?

Kudos to you Bronte, moley only got to this story today.

[John Corey]

Kudos to you Bronte, moley only got to this story today.

Was thinking the same. Moley reads the Chookpen.

Andfor the haters, I like Tony Adams. One of the few that interacts on Twitter and doesn't block unless it's for a good reason.