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ROOSTERS captain Boyd Cordner has endorsed his club’s pursuit of Cooper Cronk, with the star halfback thought to be inching closer to a two-year deal with the Tricolours.
According to some reports, Cronk is just a matter of days away from inking a deal with his second NRL club after finishing his Storm career on the high of a grand final victory earlier this month.
While Cronk maintained his silence on his future, refusing requests to speak to journalists after the Kangaroos’ win over England, Cordner bravely fronted the microphones to talk about an issue that could potentially drive one of his best friends out of his club.
Speculation has ramped up in recent days linking Mitchell Pearce to the exit door should Cronk arrive to take his No.7 jersey, with Manly and Newcastle at the head of the queue to give him a new home if he’s released from his contract.
That would be a huge disappointment to Cordner, who believes the two star playmakers could work together in the same team, but he made it clear that no matter what Pearce did, he would be there to support him
“What’s happening, is happening,” Cordner said. “You’ve got to face it and that’s reality, that’s what happens in football.
“At the end of the day it’s a business, Pearcey’s one of my best friends, I’ll support him 100 per cent of the way and like I said, it’s all speculation at the moment, there’s nothing been set in stone or anything, that’s as far as I know and I can’t comment any further than that.”
Pushed on his preferred playmaker set up if Cronk was thrown into the mix, Cordner said a three-pronged attack that also involved current five-eighth Luke Keary could be “a force” to be reckoned with.
“If it does happen and there can be a way to have all three halves playing at the same team I think, you know, if you can make it work then what a force,” he said.
“But it’s a long way away and nothing’s been set in stone, so I’m not going to comment any further on it.”
Cordner admitted he had spoken to Pearce “a couple of times” since news of Cronk’s likely destination broke last week.
However, despite revealing he supported a move for his club to recruit Cronk, Cordner said he had not broached the subject with his Kangaroos teammate since they had come into camp.
“If a player like Cooper Cronk comes onto the market and you can get him for a good deal I think you’d be silly not to look into it,” Cordner said.
“If it does end up happening, or to be true, you’re going to benefit from a player like Cooper Cronk coming to your club, there’s no doubt about it.
“I haven’t chatted to Cooper, I’ve shown him the respect and given him space. He’s a grown man and I’m sure he’s looking after himself at the moment.
“He’s got a million questions coming at him, so I’ll just give him his space.”
According to some reports, Cronk is just a matter of days away from inking a deal with his second NRL club after finishing his Storm career on the high of a grand final victory earlier this month.
While Cronk maintained his silence on his future, refusing requests to speak to journalists after the Kangaroos’ win over England, Cordner bravely fronted the microphones to talk about an issue that could potentially drive one of his best friends out of his club.
Speculation has ramped up in recent days linking Mitchell Pearce to the exit door should Cronk arrive to take his No.7 jersey, with Manly and Newcastle at the head of the queue to give him a new home if he’s released from his contract.
That would be a huge disappointment to Cordner, who believes the two star playmakers could work together in the same team, but he made it clear that no matter what Pearce did, he would be there to support him
“What’s happening, is happening,” Cordner said. “You’ve got to face it and that’s reality, that’s what happens in football.
“At the end of the day it’s a business, Pearcey’s one of my best friends, I’ll support him 100 per cent of the way and like I said, it’s all speculation at the moment, there’s nothing been set in stone or anything, that’s as far as I know and I can’t comment any further than that.”
Pushed on his preferred playmaker set up if Cronk was thrown into the mix, Cordner said a three-pronged attack that also involved current five-eighth Luke Keary could be “a force” to be reckoned with.
“If it does happen and there can be a way to have all three halves playing at the same team I think, you know, if you can make it work then what a force,” he said.
“But it’s a long way away and nothing’s been set in stone, so I’m not going to comment any further on it.”
Cordner admitted he had spoken to Pearce “a couple of times” since news of Cronk’s likely destination broke last week.
However, despite revealing he supported a move for his club to recruit Cronk, Cordner said he had not broached the subject with his Kangaroos teammate since they had come into camp.
“If a player like Cooper Cronk comes onto the market and you can get him for a good deal I think you’d be silly not to look into it,” Cordner said.
“If it does end up happening, or to be true, you’re going to benefit from a player like Cooper Cronk coming to your club, there’s no doubt about it.
“I haven’t chatted to Cooper, I’ve shown him the respect and given him space. He’s a grown man and I’m sure he’s looking after himself at the moment.
“He’s got a million questions coming at him, so I’ll just give him his space.”
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