Cooper Cronk Officially Signs - Discussion Thread

[Lydon]

the way Cronk is talking on NRL360 it sounds like he expects Pearce to be there in 2018

Hope that’s not true as we need the spare dollars to look for a prop

[PeeGee]

the way Cronk is talking on NRL360 it sounds like he expects Pearce to be there in 2018

At least Pearce would get to play half during origin. Or will he be left in whatever role he’s in and promote Cornish

But can Pearce really stay? That 800k+ would be much needed. Retention is the key starting November 1

[Lydon]

Lydon, I think the way this has been handled is a sign of just how desperate Robbo has become to get Nick another trophy.

There have been plenty of excuses in the past with Recruitment and Retention issues disrupting the roster, but now with the way the Coach has " shafted the Golden haired Boy " for a proven "Match winner" everyone is on notice that their jobs aren't secure unless they win.

For my money Trobbo puts too much into the science of the game , which smacks of the " Trendy feel good" approach , what needs to happen is "unbridled passion" for the job.

Maybe the "warrior code" of do it for your mates, might be a bit late after this plays out.

Totally agree with you GF,it will be a big year with plenty of pressure for all involved next year..
Hope this mess with Pearce ends soon and the team starts focusing on the job at hand!

[ROC181]

Unlike Sonny-Bill, I was for this pickup from the start.

Well that's 1 out of 2...You're a swinger... I was up for both cause I can see the positive in big names like these two...

[PeeGee]

I guess our preseason will be stuffed because of the World Cup, as many other teams. But it’s really unfortunate for us because of the crucial team changes.

teams with minimal changes, or minimal World Cup involvement will have an edge

[Intercept]

It is pretty obvious to me the club signed Cronk because we clearly need an onfield leader to run the team around the park. Pearce clearly isn't one, Friendy despite being captain isn't either. Boyd is learning the ropes and is more of a 'lead by example player', he can't steer us around the park. What a leader does, apart from organize is inspire and motivate the players around. Whip the likes of JWH and Napa into gear when they are having a bludge. Slows the game down when the players start panicking. Again Pearce is not that player, he speeds up when he should be slowing down. We wouldn't be throwing away leads in prelim finals if we had leaders instead of followers in these key positions. When paying $800k for a halfback, you are not paying just for a guy who can catch and pass and put on some plays (usually in the first half of games), you are paying for a 'leader'.

We have some pretty smart fans on this board, they knew that something had to be changed up after the disaster against the Cowboys. However I suspect the power brokers at the club had seen this a while ago and like some, think this deal was stitched up months ago. Robbo was interviewed on NRL 360 late in the season and mentioned he and Nick speak everyday. He mentioned recruitment was one of the topics and how Uncle Nick was sometimes able to suggest signing a player that Robbo thought was no chance of joining, yet he could do the deal. He named SBW as an example, though I am certain he was also referring to Cronk, however was unable to name him at the time.

I think signing Cronk is an acknowledgement not just to him but the Storm system. I saw an interview during the season when Cronk was asked how they are able to motivate themselves and maintain intensity when playing the lower teams and put on big scores. He explained that they approach every single game the same way and don't change their approach, no matter who they play. Compare that to the Roosters. How often do we come up against a bottom 8 team and appear to just go through the motions, or get out to a decent lead and try to score tries off every set and let other teams back in to matches. The Storm rarely do this, because they have leaders like Smith and Cronk. This is a great day for the club and whilst I agree with many we need to strengthen up front too, if we can release Pearce, we should have some money to sign a solid middle third option.

Beautifully put. Cronk is the one barking instructions whilst Smith lines up a conversion. He knows how to win football games, he thinks for those around him and he leads, something we have been lacking. I think Keary will learn heaps from him and can become our brains when Cronk retires.

[Darkone]

Mediocracy is not a word

Mediocracy = fibre to the node

[Darkone]

cronk said he spoke to mitchell today, sounded like pearce is staying, and is going to put the team first. im getting very excited

If Pearce stays it will demonstrate that hes finally grown a pair

& he may earn some respect

[Cockadoodledoo]

Mediocracy is not a word

You serious?

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/mediocracy noun

• A dominant class consisting of mediocre people, or a system in which mediocrity is rewarded.
  ‘a mediocracy of successful careerists and yes-men’

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Impressive talker Cronk. How refreshing to hear a rl player talk outside the standard words and phrases...with more than a touch of humbleness.

[Tommy Smith]

It is pretty obvious to me the club signed Cronk because we clearly need an onfield leader to run the team around the park. Pearce clearly isn't one, Friendy despite being captain isn't either. Boyd is learning the ropes and is more of a 'lead by example player', he can't steer us around the park. What a leader does, apart from organize is inspire and motivate the players around. Whip the likes of JWH and Napa into gear when they are having a bludge. Slows the game down when the players start panicking. Again Pearce is not that player, he speeds up when he should be slowing down. We wouldn't be throwing away leads in prelim finals if we had leaders instead of followers in these key positions. When paying $800k for a halfback, you are not paying just for a guy who can catch and pass and put on some plays (usually in the first half of games), you are paying for a 'leader'.

We have some pretty smart fans on this board, they knew that something had to be changed up after the disaster against the Cowboys. However I suspect the power brokers at the club had seen this a while ago and like some, think this deal was stitched up months ago. Robbo was interviewed on NRL 360 late in the season and mentioned he and Nick speak everyday. He mentioned recruitment was one of the topics and how Uncle Nick was sometimes able to suggest signing a player that Robbo thought was no chance of joining, yet he could do the deal. He named SBW as an example, though I am certain he was also referring to Cronk, however was unable to name him at the time.

I think signing Cronk is an acknowledgement not just to him but the Storm system. I saw an interview during the season when Cronk was asked how they are able to motivate themselves and maintain intensity when playing the lower teams and put on big scores. He explained that they approach every single game the same way and don't change their approach, no matter who they play. Compare that to the Roosters. How often do we come up against a bottom 8 team and appear to just go through the motions, or get out to a decent lead and try to score tries off every set and let other teams back in to matches. The Storm rarely do this, because they have leaders like Smith and Cronk. This is a great day for the club and whilst I agree with many we need to strengthen up front too, if we can release Pearce, we should have some money to sign a solid middle third option.

The definitive contribution to the whole Cronk-Pearce saga.

Very well put! I could not agree more.

[Maxy Walker]

Meh. Stupid signing. We don’t have the depth to carry it. We’’ll end up with back rowers in the centres again and lack of grunt up front because of this vanity signing. Not to mention the stupidity of Pearce coming off the bench for pointless 5 minute stints like Watson.

Bad call chooks.

[Rooster_6]

I guess our preseason will be stuffed because of the World Cup, as many other teams. But it’s really unfortunate for us because of the crucial team changes.

teams with minimal changes, or minimal World Cup involvement will have an edge

Yeh 2013 world cup really screwed around with our 2014 season. We lost 4 of our first 6 games and really struggled to hit our straps at any point.

Although we had 18 players from memory involved in that world cup, I don't know this years number of the top of my head but I dare say it isn't even half of that.

Means Cronk probably wont be training with the boys until January which is a little bit of a concern given the importance of his position and new combos he needs to form - he is the ultimate professional though, if anyone could do it it's probably him. Short term contract, ageing player... the success of this signing will all come down to how quickly he can hit the ground running.

[Johnny Tobin]

What did he say? I’m overseas and couldn’t watch it.

[Danish]

This will prove to be our best signing since Freddy.

SBW, while obviously a massive reason behind our 2013 premiership, was really just a short term mercenary who had zero impact on the side once he left.

Cronk however I can see will set up a culture that has been severely lacking at our club. He is the smartest league mind playing the game today, rarely if ever makes the wrong decision, and takes absolutely no shit from his troops. The storm club's professionalism and work ethic are all off the back of him and Smith, and I'm sure that Nick and Robbo have brought him in to instill this same attitude in our young talent that so badly needs a kick up the ass.

I couldn't give a shit if Pearce wants to stay or not. I can't see us starting 2018 with all of Cronk, Keary, Friend, and Pearce in the 17 though. If Mitch does end up wanting to leave, there will no tears from me over it.