Cooper Cronk

[keggs1]

I saw a post very similar to this on reddit, so I don't want to take any credit for it, but I still wanted to rehash it all the same, because I entirely agree.

Games like that are why we needed to buy Cronk, why he is worth his weight in gold, and why he absolutely deserves to be in the immortal discussion.

At times it was as if the Storm were more concerned with Cronk than they were with winning the game. It was like the grand final all over again. And he knew it. He is living rent free inside the heads of Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith. And he absolutely won us that game because of it.

He let Keary take control (again), knowing that Melbourne would focus on him, put pressure on him; and that takes a lot of leadership and confidence. But then again, you only need to look as far back as the grand final to know what letting Luke Keary run the show can do to you.

When Keary went off for his HIA, the attention on Cronk just got worse. He made a couple of mistakes, sure. At 35, he's no spring chicken anymore and he certainly isn't perfect. But, he persevered, and didn't let the pressure of the situation get to him. Of course he didn't, he's Cooper Cronk.

After the end of regular time you could see him lead like he so often does, and you could bet your bottom dollar that he had already planned being the decoy for the field goal, because he knew he would be under such immense pressure it would be hard to get one away. That's genius. That is pure brilliance. He was three steps ahead the whole bloody time.

He's played flashier games, he's played better games, he's played more important games. But tonight, he showed he's worth every cent.

[OMR]

Whoever wrote that know their footy, I love it

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Cronk set up that decoy so Latrell could have a go at the field goal, absolute genius. We wouldn't have won that game or last years Premiership without him. The difference he has made is enormous. A humble champion with the heart of a lion and combined with inspirational leadership. What a player.

[Thirteen]

A rarity for someone after only 2 years to be considered a club legend. And the second of the decade who also only played 2 years. SBW and CC.

[ROC181]

If anyone watched the Nine coverage last night you would have seen an intro package by Cooper about his return to Melbourne. He talked about his life playing for the Storm and he ended it saying ‘I used to be a Storm BUT now I’m a Rooster through and through” and he said it with a lot of conviction. Very impressed with his dedication.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Hope he signs an extension for next season

[milanja]

A rarity for someone after only 2 years to be considered a club legend. And the second of the decade who also only played 2 years. SBW and CC.

So true.

Makes it easier to regard them as legends when they were bought to deliver success and both did.

[Johnny73]

He brings a calmness, an surety that has been missing.

[Tommy Smith]

Forget Smith; it is Cronk who is the greatest winner of his generation.

So many pundits disrespectfully questioned whether Cronk could win without the Storm, only for Cronk to go on and win another comp.

And it should also be noted that Qlds only defeat during their golden era was when Cronk was injured. Not Slater. Not JT. Not Smith. Not Inglis. But Cronk; who was replaced by DCE and the team crumbled and lost to a halves combo of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson LMFAO.

Cooper is an incredible leader and it shouldn't be underestimated. Metaphorically speaking you get the feeling that the players would love to fight in the trenches alongside JWH, but die for Cooper.

They're the biggest leaders amongst the players of our team imo.

[The ticket]

Forget Smith; it is Cronk who is the greatest winner of his generation.

So many pundits disrespectfully questioned whether Cronk could win without the Storm, only for Cronk to go on and win another comp.

And it should also be noted that Qlds only defeat during their golden era was when Cronk was injured. Not Slater. Not JT. Not Smith. Not Inglis. But Cronk; who was replaced by DCE and the team crumbled and lost to a halves combo of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson LMFAO.

Cooper is an incredible leader and it shouldn't be underestimated. Metaphorically speaking you get the feeling that the players would love to fight in the trenches alongside JWH, but die for Cooper.

They're the biggest leaders amongst the players of our team imo.

To be fair, without smith on the field last night we win by 40. He was enormous and still the best i’ve seen since Lewis.

Cronk has been exactly what we needed and a wonderful buy for our club.

[chopstiks]

But Cronk; who was replaced by DCE and the team crumbled and lost to a halves combo of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson LMFAO.

LMFAO indeed. That is bloody hilarious thanks for the massive chuckle.

[chopstiks]

I'm still in awe of his wizardry in GF week, and Cronk serves up another masterclass last night.
Along with all his other attributes people have spoken about here off the field, I have a big boner for that man.

[The Marshall]

A rarity for someone after only 2 years to be considered a club legend. And the second of the decade who also only played 2 years. SBW and CC.

Agree, the other one I would throw in is Adrian Morley in 2002 which was his second year with us.

[Mickie Lane]

The more I think about it the more I think that the Roosters need to replace Cronk if he retires with a top shelf halfback which is DCE for me. Bringing in a rookie (Lam) & putting Keary to half is not going to be as successful as having a top shelf halfback & leaving Keary at 5/8 IMO.
I dont think Latrell is really suited to 5/8 & if you were going to play him & Keary in the halves you then need to find another centre & there is no centre in the game better than Latrell.
Im all for giving young blokes a start but I think in a key position like halfback the Roosters would be better off trying to get the next best half in the game if they want to continue with their success at the top.

[zac]

The more I think about it the more I think that the Roosters need to replace Cronk if he retires with a top shelf halfback which is DCE for me. Bringing in a rookie (Lam) & putting Keary to half is not going to be as successful as having a top shelf halfback & leaving Keary at 5/8 IMO.
I dont think Latrell is really suited to 5/8 & if you were going to play him & Keary in the halves you then need to find another centre & there is no centre in the game better than Latrell.
Im all for giving young blokes a start but I think in a key position like halfback the Roosters would be better off trying to get the next best half in the game if they want to continue with their success at the top.

Hard to say how good Lam will be. But hard to see how we could buy a top half back and still keep Keary, Latrell, Joey and Teddy (not to mention the forwards). I'd be willing to fork out close to another 1m next year for Cooper, but if we want to keep our other players, not sure I'd spend 1m on anyone else after that. If we're going to keep Latrell and he's going to play centre (and I'm happy with that), not sure we can pay top dollar for another half.