Cronk thinking of retiring at the end of the season

[4 the all in brawl]

He hasn't dry-humped a dog after taking a bunch of junior players out to get wasted. That makes him better than our former halfback in my book.

Nor has he torn a pec sidelining him for over half the season.....

[4 the all in brawl]

Haven't seen anything from Cronk this year to suggest he is any better than Pearce.

Well he has managed to get on the field for all the games this year something Pearce never seems to manage...

[IRoosterManI]

Well he has managed to get on the field for all the games this year something Pearce never seems to manage...

yet Pearce STILL has clutched more wins this season than Cronk.... pretty sad

OH and Pearce has more hitups and running metres than Cronk in 2018 too...yikes.

[Waerea-Beast!]

The Mole is the most accurate gosspi columnist around Rugby League and has a soft spot for our club.

I've never understood the criticism of him.

Like all rumours it should be treated as just that a rumour but he's far more credible than people are making out in this thread.

He's a good guy. His son is a die hard Chooks fan.

[4 the all in brawl]

yet Pearce STILL has clutched more wins this season than Cronk.... pretty sad

OH and Pearce has more hitups and running metres than Cronk in 2018 too...yikes.

Yeah but have a look at where we are on the table and where the Knights are.....Pretty sad too.....

Cronk might not be the player he once was but he has been a large part of why we will challenge for the title this year. He has brought back a ruthless professionalism to our team........

Hitups, that is what forwards and large wingers usually do......

[Arties Pie]

If he does life goes on, there are always new players on the horizon that will step up like there was in 2007 when a young Mitchell Pearce stepped up to the plate who knows maybe Sean O'Sullivan or young Lam will do the same.

[Louis N]

At the moment it's only a rumour and league journos live off rumours. Not that long ago we were going to buy Aaron Woods and before that Sony Bill was due back in Roosters colours for the finals. The only rumour that was correct was the Cronk to Roosters one, although even most of the journos were taking each way bets on that.

If he feels he can't play to his potential then he'll hang the boots up. He's gone through massive life changes in the last twelve months and starting a family and media career might be more attractive than getting smashed by 110 kilo gorillas. But I feel that under the circumstances of adapting to a new club, under the extreme pressure that the whole Pearce fiasco created, that he has worn it well and performed well enough. We do not have the pack of the Storm 2017 and played a lot less disciplined game.

However, we seem to be getting our act together on the discipline side. Players like Fergo are a heap different in mindset and a lot of the potplant, help the opposition up-field with little effort penalties have disappeared. We seem to be respecting possession and realising that the opposition can't score if we have it. And there is someone calling players out for mindless mistakes. Ikuvalu was a case in point last week, when his loose carry against a side like the Storm was an accident waiting to happen.

So I hope Cronk sticks around in some capacity, even if we were to snag a Nathan Cleary, who plays a similar game. If he was bought to win a premiership (and let's be straight, ALL stars are bought with that in mind) the job isn't finished. My thought would be that if he won one this year, could be a good time to retire. And if he didn't, but was playing well enough, 2020 would be the time.

[Chooksforme]

Cronk will see out his two year contract, and retire at the end of 2019, otherwise it was pointless of us going through all the turmoil of moving Pearce on, and that fits in well with with the 2020 plans being worked on now for the club, so don't worry.

[Johnny Tobin]

I find it hard to believe Cronk would leave us high and dry like that. For mine this is up there with the Crichton Backflip.

[Hawkeye]

I think it's wonderful that Cronk confides in the Mole. Suppose he has to because he won't confide in Cameron anymore

[fletch]

I find it hard to believe Cronk would leave us high and dry like that. For mine this is up there with the Crichton Backflip.

I think when he signed he fully intended to play 2 seasons, but just watching him play he is a step slower now, maybe his body is telling him he doesn't have it anymore.

would you really want him to play again in 2019 purely out of obligation.

[morley101]

After watching Lam play in Jersey Flegg and ISP, he is too good for those grades but is not ready for 1st grade for full season.... Good to see him eased in for 6 - 10 games if possible, Part of Cronk's contract is that we pay for his Harvard business degree so I can't see wanting to pay that himself next year...

[RoosterChick]

I find it hard to believe Cronk would leave us high and dry like that. For mine this is up there with the Crichton Backflip.

Totally agree. Cronk like Crichton is a Professional. He signed a contract and so long as injury doesn’t come into the equation he will honour the deal.

[Johnny Tobin]

I think when he signed he fully intended to play 2 seasons, but just watching him play he is a step slower now, maybe his body is telling him he doesn't have it anymore.

would you really want him to play again in 2019 purely out of obligation.

If we don't have a better option I do.

[Lydon]

I think when he signed he fully intended to play 2 seasons, but just watching him play he is a step slower now, maybe his body is telling him he doesn't have it anymore.

would you really want him to play again in 2019 purely out of obligation.

Yes definetly..
Although I think this story is hogwash,barring injury Cronk has signed a 2 year deal and should/will honour it!
He’s the ultimate pro,i would be shocked if he breaks his contract..