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Nick Politis reveals how Sydney Roosters clinched Cooper Cronk signing (plus where pearce will play)
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...eff7d411d3b2a4
ROOSTERS supremo Nick Politis has broken his silence on Cooper Cronk’s signing, revealing how the Maroons ace’s request to study at Harvard helped seal his defection to the Bondi club.
As Mitchell Pearce weighs up his future, Politis dismissed suggestions Cronk’s signing has destabilised the club and hit back at claims the Roosters cannot afford the Test playmaker under the salary cap.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the NRL salary-cap auditor formally approved Cronk’s multifaceted Roosters deal on Wednesday.
It is worth $1.7 million over two years, plus a study component that iced Cronk’s move to Bondi — a $30,000 grant that will enable him to apply for a business degree at prestigious Harvard University.
Cooper Cronk will join the Roosters next year. Picture Kym Smith
The world-famous institution has a decorated alumni including former American presidents Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy and George Bush and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Cronk’s footballing intellect has made him one of the code’s premier playmakers and Politis believes those smarts can deliver another Roosters premiership before he builds on his skill set at Harvard.
“We ticked the boxes in a few areas. It wasn’t all about money,” Politis told The Courier-Mail.
Cooper Cronk’s request to study at Harvard helped seal his defection to the Roosters.
“Cooper is looking to go to Harvard and do an MBA in business administration.
“We’ve got salary-cap approval from the NRL to help him with his education.
“Cooper wanted to go to a club with a good coach and a good system that could help him after football as well.
“I hope he wins us a premiership while he’s here — that’s the plan.”
After 41 years at the Roosters, Politis is accustomed to copping brickbats for the glamour club chasing streams of marquee players.
But the business tycoon insists Cronk made the first move and says the Roosters had room in the salary-cap to accommodate the former Storm halfback.
“The truth is we got approached by his management,” Politis said.
Nick Politis says the Roosters had room in the salary-cap to accommodate Cooper Cronk.
“Cooper instructed his manager to approach a couple of clubs and we thought that’s a great idea.
“Cooper has family links to our club. His father is a Bondi boy. Rick Cronk played in our President’s Cup and Jersey Flegg teams in the 1970s before he moved to Brisbane, where Cooper was born.”
Of claims the Roosters are rorting the cap, Politis said: “It’s ridiculous to say that. The Cronk deal has been approved by the NRL.
“In the last few years, we’ve lost Sonny Bill (Williams), Anthony Minichiello, James Maloney and Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck). Aidan Guerra and Connor Watson are going to Newcastle next year.
“We were under the cap by $600,000 in 2016 which we carried into last season, so that gave us the opportunity to sign Cooper.
“After two years, we’re hoping Cooper will stay on and if he wants he can coach here. He could work with ‘Robbo’ (coach Trent Robinson) helping the halves and being a part of the club for a long time.”
Mitchell Pearce’s future is up in the air following Cooper Cronk’s signing. Picture: Brett Costello
Politis is confident Pearce, who steered the Roosters to the 2013 premiership, will remain at the club despite his anger at Cronk’s purchase.
“Obviously Mitchell is proud but we want him to stay,” he said.
“Cooper will be good for Mitchell, who knows, he could help Mitchell win a Dally M Medal.
“Mitchell has been very good for us but he can go to another level as a halfback with Cronk alongside him.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...eff7d411d3b2a4
ROOSTERS supremo Nick Politis has broken his silence on Cooper Cronk’s signing, revealing how the Maroons ace’s request to study at Harvard helped seal his defection to the Bondi club.
As Mitchell Pearce weighs up his future, Politis dismissed suggestions Cronk’s signing has destabilised the club and hit back at claims the Roosters cannot afford the Test playmaker under the salary cap.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the NRL salary-cap auditor formally approved Cronk’s multifaceted Roosters deal on Wednesday.
It is worth $1.7 million over two years, plus a study component that iced Cronk’s move to Bondi — a $30,000 grant that will enable him to apply for a business degree at prestigious Harvard University.
Cooper Cronk will join the Roosters next year. Picture Kym SmithThe world-famous institution has a decorated alumni including former American presidents Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy and George Bush and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Cronk’s footballing intellect has made him one of the code’s premier playmakers and Politis believes those smarts can deliver another Roosters premiership before he builds on his skill set at Harvard.
“We ticked the boxes in a few areas. It wasn’t all about money,” Politis told The Courier-Mail.
Cooper Cronk’s request to study at Harvard helped seal his defection to the Roosters.“Cooper is looking to go to Harvard and do an MBA in business administration.
“We’ve got salary-cap approval from the NRL to help him with his education.
“Cooper wanted to go to a club with a good coach and a good system that could help him after football as well.
“I hope he wins us a premiership while he’s here — that’s the plan.”
After 41 years at the Roosters, Politis is accustomed to copping brickbats for the glamour club chasing streams of marquee players.
But the business tycoon insists Cronk made the first move and says the Roosters had room in the salary-cap to accommodate the former Storm halfback.
“The truth is we got approached by his management,” Politis said.
Nick Politis says the Roosters had room in the salary-cap to accommodate Cooper Cronk.“Cooper instructed his manager to approach a couple of clubs and we thought that’s a great idea.
“Cooper has family links to our club. His father is a Bondi boy. Rick Cronk played in our President’s Cup and Jersey Flegg teams in the 1970s before he moved to Brisbane, where Cooper was born.”
Of claims the Roosters are rorting the cap, Politis said: “It’s ridiculous to say that. The Cronk deal has been approved by the NRL.
“In the last few years, we’ve lost Sonny Bill (Williams), Anthony Minichiello, James Maloney and Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck). Aidan Guerra and Connor Watson are going to Newcastle next year.
“We were under the cap by $600,000 in 2016 which we carried into last season, so that gave us the opportunity to sign Cooper.
“After two years, we’re hoping Cooper will stay on and if he wants he can coach here. He could work with ‘Robbo’ (coach Trent Robinson) helping the halves and being a part of the club for a long time.”
Mitchell Pearce’s future is up in the air following Cooper Cronk’s signing. Picture: Brett CostelloPolitis is confident Pearce, who steered the Roosters to the 2013 premiership, will remain at the club despite his anger at Cronk’s purchase.
“Obviously Mitchell is proud but we want him to stay,” he said.
“Cooper will be good for Mitchell, who knows, he could help Mitchell win a Dally M Medal.
“Mitchell has been very good for us but he can go to another level as a halfback with Cronk alongside him.”
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