Rumours.. Cronk agreed to terms a few months back. Pearce to 14 or shipped to Souths

[Easts75]

This is exactly why I don't believe Cronk will join us.

The Club has persevered with Pearce for 10YEARS!!!

No way will they cut him now.

That is a very poor excuse to keep a player on massive coin that goes MIA all too often in big games

[The Axe]

This is exactly why I don't believe Cronk will join us.

The Club has persevered with Pearce for 10YEARS!!!

No way will they cut him now.

especially now that he has kicked 2 FGs

[Horry]

Cooper Cronk pursuit raises questions about Mitchell Pearce’s role at Roosters

PAUL CRAWLEY, The Daily Telegraph
October 15, 2017 8:01pm
Subscriber only
THE Sydney Roosters have no intention of forcing Mitchell Pearce out the door, even if they win the prized signature of Cooper Cronk.

The departing Melbourne halfback is expected to make a decision in the coming days about whether he will retire from the NRL or continue his career at a Sydney-based club.

The Roosters and South Sydney are said to be the only legitimate contenders if the 33-year-old stays in the NRL.

MORE: Roosters, Rabbitohs lead race to sign Cooper Cronk

Cronk is leaning towards playing next year and, if that happens, the Roosters seem the logical fit.

Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is signed on until the end of 2021, while five-eighth Cody Walker — who filled in for Greg Inglis at fullback this year — is contracted until the end of next season.

The Roosters believe they can squeeze Cronk into their salary cap without losing any players given their high turnover of stars in recent years.

They include the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Anthony Minichiello, Michael Jennings, James Maloney and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Kane Evans, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Aiden Guerra, Paul Carter and Connor Watson have also moved on from this year’s squad. Cronk is expected to make a decision about his NRL future in the coming days.
Rival clubs are watching with sceptical interest given the Roosters have signed James Tedesco, and already boast one of the strongest rosters in the NRL.

While the Roosters’ preference would be to keep Pearce, who is contracted until the end of 2019, it could depend on how he handles Cronk’s arrival if a deal goes ahead.

Pearce would have to give up the No. 7 jersey and potentially move to five-eighth or hooker.

That would create another problem for the Roosters given Luke Keary and Jake Friend are both signed until the end of next year.

Pearce is aware of the talk and no doubt it would make him uneasy, regardless of whether Cronk decides to play for the Roosters. Mitchell Pearce’s role at the Roosters could change.
While no one wants to talk about it publicly, the fact the Roosters are chasing Cronk highlights there is an obvious concern about Pearce continuing as chief playmaker.

As brave and committed as he is, Pearce’s inability to handle the clutch moments in big matches has marred his career, and he was again exposed in this year’s finals series.

Pearce made his debut in 2007 and the Roosters have put in more than a decade developing him into the player he is today.

Which is why they want him to play out his career at the club.

But at 28 there is also a legitimate debate about his composure under pressure playing halfback.

The discussion is a delicate subject but has come to a head because of Cronk’s move to Sydney. There is a legitimate debate about Mitchell Pearce’s composure under pressure. Picture: Brett Costello
Cronk has said previously that he would make a decision by the end of this week.

The Roosters could partner Cronk and Pearce in the halves and play Keary off the bench, although the former South Sydney five-eighth had a terrific season and led Dally M Medal voting early in the year.

The possibility of Pearce switching to dummy half poses another problem given Friend is the team’s co-captain.

Friend was far from happy last year when the Roosters entertained the prospect of signing Robbie Farah.

[Johnny.]

Pearce is a ready made centre. He can run, tackle and pass. He just can't organise or kick properly.

[milanja]

Cooper Cronk pursuit raises questions about Mitchell Pearce’s role at Roosters

PAUL CRAWLEY, The Daily Telegraph
October 15, 2017 8:01pm
Subscriber only
THE Sydney Roosters have no intention of forcing Mitchell Pearce out the door, even if they win the prized signature of Cooper Cronk.

The departing Melbourne halfback is expected to make a decision in the coming days about whether he will retire from the NRL or continue his career at a Sydney-based club.

The Roosters and South Sydney are said to be the only legitimate contenders if the 33-year-old stays in the NRL.

MORE: Roosters, Rabbitohs lead race to sign Cooper Cronk

Cronk is leaning towards playing next year and, if that happens, the Roosters seem the logical fit.

Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is signed on until the end of 2021, while five-eighth Cody Walker — who filled in for Greg Inglis at fullback this year — is contracted until the end of next season.

The Roosters believe they can squeeze Cronk into their salary cap without losing any players given their high turnover of stars in recent years.

They include the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Anthony Minichiello, Michael Jennings, James Maloney and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Kane Evans, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Aiden Guerra, Paul Carter and Connor Watson have also moved on from this year’s squad. Cronk is expected to make a decision about his NRL future in the coming days.
Rival clubs are watching with sceptical interest given the Roosters have signed James Tedesco, and already boast one of the strongest rosters in the NRL.

While the Roosters’ preference would be to keep Pearce, who is contracted until the end of 2019, it could depend on how he handles Cronk’s arrival if a deal goes ahead.

Pearce would have to give up the No. 7 jersey and potentially move to five-eighth or hooker.

That would create another problem for the Roosters given Luke Keary and Jake Friend are both signed until the end of next year.

Pearce is aware of the talk and no doubt it would make him uneasy, regardless of whether Cronk decides to play for the Roosters. Mitchell Pearce’s role at the Roosters could change.
While no one wants to talk about it publicly, the fact the Roosters are chasing Cronk highlights there is an obvious concern about Pearce continuing as chief playmaker.

As brave and committed as he is, Pearce’s inability to handle the clutch moments in big matches has marred his career, and he was again exposed in this year’s finals series.

Pearce made his debut in 2007 and the Roosters have put in more than a decade developing him into the player he is today.

Which is why they want him to play out his *career at the club.

But at 28 there is also a legitimate debate about his composure under pressure playing halfback.

The discussion is a delicate subject but has come to a head because of Cronk’s move to *Sydney. There is a legitimate debate about Mitchell Pearce’s composure under pressure. Picture: Brett Costello
Cronk has said previously that he would make a decision by the end of this week.

The Roosters could partner Cronk and Pearce in the halves and play Keary off the bench, although the former South Sydney five-eighth had a terrific season and led Dally M Medal voting early in the year.

The possibility of Pearce switching to dummy half poses another problem given Friend is the team’s co-captain.

Friend was far from happy last year when the Roosters entertained the prospect of signing Robbie Farah.

Easy job for a journo when he can just take some blurbs from the pen and create an article.

[ism22]

Yep Cronk will quite logically replace Paul Carter... you heard it from me first. He’ll play out most of the season with Wyong in an attempt to develop talent in the region.

[ROC181]

Pearce is a ready made centre. He can run, tackle and pass. He just can't organise or kick properly.

I was thinking more as 'kicking coach'.... He can teach the young ones everything he learned from A Johns...

[Half time]

Easy job for a journo when he can just take some blurbs from the pen and create an article.

Not sure I agree with you.

99% of the chookpen here have assumed that pearce will be leaving to make room for cronk - I had also assumed the same thing until recently. The article indicates otherwise for the time being.

Maybe, just maybe, this journalist has got parts of the article correct.

[ROC181]

Whats disappointing about that article that the club has persevered for 10 years and that's as good as it gets, and is still polarising fans not only here but on social media as well. Only players of the calibre of Freddy or Mini have had success at every level and deservedly given that many years to play for our club. I'm thinking that Politis felt some sense of obligation towards not only Pearce jnr but also to Snr. The club has been loyal enough IMO.

[Steakface]

Whats disappointing about that article that the club has persevered for 10 years and that's as good as it gets, and is still polarising fans not only here but on social media as well. Only players of the calibre of Freddy or Mini have had success at every level and deservedly given that many years to play for our club. I'm thinking that Politis felt some sense of obligation towards not only Pearce jnr but also to Snr. The club has been loyal enough IMO.

Mate, you are giving 'fans' and in particular 'social media' way too much credit. Both camps are rife with mouthbreathers, whereas the club is stacked with professionals. I know who I'd trust to be making the right decisions. And it ain't social media.

[Johnny.]

I was thinking more as 'kicking coach'.... He can teach the young ones everything he learned from A Johns...

It would be a Tandy…sorry, handy coaching tip.

[mightyrooster]

Pearce found out when he read it on here on the many different threads about this news....

In fact all NRL players and coaches religiously read the Chookpen for the up to date info re who is playing for who and also to get tips from the games best armchair coaches.

Well I know where the Telecrap and SMH get all their Coop scoops from - the Cronkpen.

[Darkone]

New York looking for a half

[Guest]

Watch out for a youngster we are interested in the coming few years, a natural half called Mitchell Paul.

[Mad_Rooster_in_GraceLand]

Watch out for a youngster we are interested in the coming few years, a natural half called Mitchell Paul.

Sounds exciting man