My biggest concern out of this circus...

[ChookMaster]

That this destroys our boys morale.. Hate him or love him as a footy player he was loved by all the boys...

[Johnny Tobin]

The club made it clear they wanted him to stay. That’s the end of that issue.

[King Salvo]

One has to say the club wanted him to go I suggest - all this he can learn from Cronk and be a better half was all smoke and mirrors- surely they would have never expected him to stay under this circumstance

[Waylander]

One has to say the club wanted him to go I suggest - all this he can learn from Cronk and be a better half was all smoke and mirrors- surely they would have never expected him to stay under this circumstance

Of course not. But they had to play it that way so he was the one who terminated the contract, meaning we don’t have to pay for any of his wages next year.

[Johnny Tobin]

That’s all correct. But he could have stayed and chose to leave. They actually did want him to stay.

[mightyrooster]

One has to say the club wanted him to go I suggest - all this he can learn from Cronk and be a better half was all smoke and mirrors- surely they would have never expected him to stay under this circumstance

I've been saying this all along Salvo. The club wanted him to ask for a release to free up the money and of course hope he got a good contract elsewhere. It was all beautifully stage managed. People panicking on here about losing Keary we're stressing over nothing. Cronk and Pearce would never work as the a halves partnership as they play a similar game.

[Maxy Walker]

The club made it clear they wanted him to stay. That’s the end of that issue.

In fact they made it pretty clear they wanted him to leave by buying another halfback

[mightyrooster]

That’s all correct. But he could have stayed and chose to leave. They actually did want him to stay.

I don't know if I believe that JT. Surely Robbo could see he would not fit in at 6 and you can't play a player $800k to sit on the bench for half a game?

[kakaruk]

There was no way that pearce was going to stay and play second fiddle to cronk.

[rented tracksuit]

In fact they made it pretty clear they wanted him to leave by buying another halfback

Bingo.

[Mickie Lane]

That this destroys our boys morale.. Hate him or love him as a footy player he was loved by all the boys...

I think Cronk will bring a really positive professional attitude to the joint & have that aura about him that the other players will gravitate toward him & the team will be all good.
Winning games is the key though.

[Tommy Smith]

That this destroys our boys morale.. Hate him or love him as a footy player he was loved by all the boys...

If that is indeed the case then it says to me that an entrenched "boys club" was becoming too comfortable at the club.

And this is then just the shake up that we needed.

I've no doubt that Cronk's leadership and professionalism will see Pearce soon forgotten as a team mate and the boys refocusing.

[Johnny.]

I predict one thing above everything else. We will be a dry ship next year. Cooper Cronk will bring the boot camp mentality of the Storm to the Roosters. He won't play with a bunch of yobs that get drunk, get thrown out of clubs and spend more time in the middle of the paper than the back of it.

[4 the all in brawl]

Cronk and Pearce were never going to be an ideal pairing, but Keary's game compliments Cronks to a tee.

I expected Pearce to leave but I understand he could have stayed if he wanted to.

But the club helped force his hand by going out and buying Cronk.

How I feel about this? I am happy we have gone for Cronk and will be bringing a winning and more professional attitude on and off the park.

But, part of me feels a little sad Pearce is leaving, I would have liked to see him transition to number 9 but he sees himself probably as a half only. But the silver lining is we have plenty of cash (esp if Niko goes too) to upgrade a few of the team and chase a blue chip forward or if we don't get a blue chip forward then a couple of seasoned first graders being a prop and an outside back

I wish him all the best, probably at the Sea Vermin in which he ironically will wear number 6, but he will play the more traditional halfback role as DCE has a lot more flair in his game than Pearce. I think they will be a pretty good combo, just hope we can smash him and his woManly mates when we play against them though....

[ism22]

I don't know if I believe that JT. Surely Robbo could see he would not fit in at 6 and you can't play a player $800k to sit on the bench for half a game?

I'll take $800k to sit on the bench if anybody's offering just saying... happy to bring the oranges out to Gronk at 1/2 time...