I agree with Flip Gould

[The Brain]

Michael Di Lonardo

Published on Apr. 25, 2018

Phil Gould has laid into the early form of Cooper Cronk, insisting the Roosters recruit hasn’t lived up to his million dollar price tag and is yet to deliver what was expected of him.

Chasing the same professionalism that Sonny Bill Williams rapidly brought to the club in 2013, the Tricolours opened the door for a Mitchell Pearce exit as they welcomed the illustrious Cronk with both eyes on quick premiership success.

But unlike their Kiwi superstar, the transition hasn’t been all smooth sailing, suffering three early losses as their combinations have stagnated at times despite boasting arguably the strongest spine in the competition.

MORE: The NRL Lurker: More drama for Manly over player payments

Gould questioned if their chaotic signing spree has been any benefit to their attack with a compliment for Mitchell Pearce.





‘’I’m a little confused as to what they expected from Cooper Cronk or the reason for buying him and what he’s actually providing them,’’ Gould said in Channel Ninecommentary.

‘’It’s reflected in his statistics, after seven rounds he has only has one try assist and he’s had no linebreaks himself. Now after seven rounds at the Melbourne Storm you’d think he’d be near double figures in both categories.

‘’He’s not laying the same sort of game he played down south. Is that because he is with different players or is that because the Roosters have said ‘we are happy with the way we play, we want you to fit in with us’?

‘’I think if you’re buying a player like Cooper Cronk at 35 years of age, you’re not buying his body, you’re buying his brains. You’re buying his knowledge and his experience and at the moment I haven’t seen that reflected in the Roosters’ football.

‘’Whether or not they are practicing it behind the scenes and maybe down the track when we get to bigger games it will be there, but to me the Roosters don’t look any different with Cooper Cronk in it to what they look with Mitchell Pearce in it.’’

Wide World of Sports✔@wwos
"The Roosters don't look any different with Cooper Cronk in it to what they looked with Mitchell Pearce." #NRLDragonsRoosters
3:42 PM - Apr 25, 2018

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[danehill]

Me too !

[Hawkeye]

I'd love to know how they define "Try Assist". Cronk has one for the year ??
In the game against Newcastle, he had a hand in all 7 tries, was part of a couple of the Cronulla tries also that I can think of ....so I'm curious as how they define try assist. Perhaps a kick is not considered an assist ?

[Bondicigar]

I agree , make him captain and let him run the team. If his best asset is what is between the ears , give him a chance to use it. Then make it clear that he owns the team as captain and leader. The current set up is clearly not working

[Rooster_6]

It's reflected in his statistics, after seven rounds he has only has one try assist and he's had no linebreaks himself. Now after seven rounds at the Melbourne Storm you'd think he'd be near double figures in both categories.

So 2 try assists and 0 linebreaks?

[Maxy Walker]

It’s a bit simplistic what he’s saying though. You can’t just bring one storm player to a club and expect them to turn into the storm overnight.

[Johnny73]

Cronk as captain. And give him a hooker who can pass.

[stephenj]

a hooker who can run and pass not just tackle

[BUDDY]

I think he forgot to compare how his swapping of Moylan for Maloney was stuff of a genius which is really what he was trying to say.

I look forward to Gus' article next week on WTF did we buy Tedesco and let go of Gordon.

If he rehashes this in round 26 and it is still valid then I will give him credit. Easy to rubbish a few teams in April just as it is easy making them premiership threats.

[Steakface]

I agree , make him captain and let him run the team. If his best asset is what is between the ears , give him a chance to use it. Then make it clear that he owns the team as captain and leader. The current set up is clearly not working

Problem is, if Robbo makes Cronk captain, Jake (and possibly his best mates in the team) will throw his toys outta the cot and have a sook.

That means a drop in team cohesion, chemistry and wanting to play for one another.

I suspect Jake is still co-Captain in order to keep team harmony.

And despite his shit form, Friend/Radley IMO is still a marginally better choice than running out with a Radley/Baptiste combo. I like Baptiste, but some on here are pumping him up to be something he isn't, probably out of blind hope.

[The Skeez]

Gould is having a veiled swipe Trent, if you read between the lines

[Maxy Walker]

Gould is having a veiled swipe Trent, if you read between the lines

That’s why it needs to be taken with a grain of salt

[The Skeez]

That’s why it needs to be taken with a grain of salt

Yep. Why bother signing the Aus, Qld and last years premiership winning half who is at borderline retirement age and tell them to play our way?
Cronk has obviously been doin something right to earn all those achievements. You can’t teach an old dog, new tricks.. right?
It can’t be long til Cronk takes the reins of this side and demands to play his way. He’s be ruining his legacy if not. And judging by what Trent said in the press conference, it might be next week.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I think he forgot to compare how his swapping of Moylan for Maloney was stuff of a genius which is really what he was trying to say...

It was the stuff of genius though. He's entitled to gloat.

We, on the other hand, have made some very questionable recruitment and retention decisions in recent years.

Letting go of Maloney was a farce.

And buying two attacking backs when it was obvious to everyone on the Chookpen that what we needed this season were better forwards and a new hooker.

Too many chiefs when it comes to the squad could explain it.

[BUDDY]

It was the stuff of genius though. He's entitled to gloat.

We, on the other hand, have made some very questionable recruitment and retention decisions in recent years.

Letting go of Maloney was a farce.

And buying two attacking backs when it was obvious to everyone on the Chookpen that what we needed this season were better forwards and a new hooker.

Too many chiefs when it comes to the squad could explain it.

How long has that 5 year plan been going for? He has plenty to show for too. He can hardly comment on other team's recruitment policies.
And the harmony in the place is like fairies playing in a forest of marigolds.
It's a long season.