Cooper Cronk Released From Storm
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Melbourne Storm’s Cooper Cronk to move to Sydney at the end of 2017
Dan Walsh
April 4, 2017 10:59am
DAN WALSH@dan_walsh64
Source: FOX SPORTS
COOPER Cronk will send Sydney clubs into meltdown by sensationally announcing he will move to the Harbour City in 2018, ending his 14-year career at the Storm.
Just last year Cronk inked a $2 million, two-year deal to commit his entire career to Melbourne, but with a release granted by the only club he has ever known the player market has just been turned on its head.
With 306 appearances since debuting in 2004, Cronk will become just the second triple centurion to change clubs after Paul Langmack left Wests to join the Roosters in 1998.
It is the first time a 300-game, one-club player has gone to market in rugby league’s 109-year history.
As recently as last week Cronk shot down suggestions he was planning to retire, reiterating his commitment to a $2 million Storm extension signed last year despite lucrative approaches from the Dragons and Rabbitohs.
The star No.7 remains well and truly at the top of his game, claiming a second Dally M Medal and his first Golden Boot award last season as Melbourne powered to a fifth grand final appearance during his time at the club.
Cooper Cronk has turned the player market on its head. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Cooper Cronk has turned the player market on its head. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource: News Corp Australia
Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover break down where it’s all gone wrong for the Bulldogs and the roster moves they need to make to become premiership contenders again.
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You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.
Cronk’s decision will end his long club association with great mates Cam Smith and Billy Slater after well over a decade together as one of the most illustrious trios in rugby league history.
He will also part ways with Craig Bellamy, the master mentor who took a punt on playing him at the scrum base in 2006 and ended up with one of the best halfbacks the game has seen.
As to where Cronk winds up next season, the 33-year-old is said to be open to all offers for his final season, though he won’t come cheap.
Complicating matters as well is the uncertainty around the 2018 salary cap, with suggestions clubs may be forced to shed players if the final figure lands at a mooted $8.84 million, well short of the $9-10 million some outfits have been budgeting for.
Parramatta are one club with cash to spend thanks to the war chest in excess of $1 million left by Kieran Foran’s release.
The spines at Canterbury and Wests Tigers — who locked in Des Hasler and Ivan Cleary as their long term coaches on Monday — also remain up in the air next season as both club’s sort out messy roster and salary cap situations.
While the Rabbitohs are understood to have been seriously interested in the Maroons and Kangaroos playmaker this time last year, they have since re-signed NSW Origin No.7 Adam Reynolds until the end of 2020.
The Dragons may also be out of the running having gone all in on Ben Hunt for 2018, to the tune of $6 million across a five-year deal with an option for a sixth.
Skipper and five-eighth Gareth Widdop does however remain off-contract, while funds may also be freed up if Josh Dugan chooses to pursue his $1 million asking price — which the Dragons current offer falls short of by roughly $250,000 — elsewhere.
While Cronk’s longtime representative teammate Johnathan Thurston has confirmed 2017 will be his last Origin and Kangaroos campaigns, Cronk has no intention of wrapping up his rep commitments before he retires from club duty.
With fiancée and Fox Sports presenter Tara Rushton based in Sydney, as well as growing media commitments of his own, Brisbane boy Cronk will now make his home behind enemy lines in the Harbour City.
Dan Walsh
April 4, 2017 10:59am
DAN WALSH@dan_walsh64
Source: FOX SPORTS
COOPER Cronk will send Sydney clubs into meltdown by sensationally announcing he will move to the Harbour City in 2018, ending his 14-year career at the Storm.
Just last year Cronk inked a $2 million, two-year deal to commit his entire career to Melbourne, but with a release granted by the only club he has ever known the player market has just been turned on its head.
With 306 appearances since debuting in 2004, Cronk will become just the second triple centurion to change clubs after Paul Langmack left Wests to join the Roosters in 1998.
It is the first time a 300-game, one-club player has gone to market in rugby league’s 109-year history.
As recently as last week Cronk shot down suggestions he was planning to retire, reiterating his commitment to a $2 million Storm extension signed last year despite lucrative approaches from the Dragons and Rabbitohs.
The star No.7 remains well and truly at the top of his game, claiming a second Dally M Medal and his first Golden Boot award last season as Melbourne powered to a fifth grand final appearance during his time at the club.
Cooper Cronk has turned the player market on its head. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Cooper Cronk has turned the player market on its head. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource: News Corp Australia
Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover break down where it’s all gone wrong for the Bulldogs and the roster moves they need to make to become premiership contenders again.
\
\
You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.
Cronk’s decision will end his long club association with great mates Cam Smith and Billy Slater after well over a decade together as one of the most illustrious trios in rugby league history.
He will also part ways with Craig Bellamy, the master mentor who took a punt on playing him at the scrum base in 2006 and ended up with one of the best halfbacks the game has seen.
As to where Cronk winds up next season, the 33-year-old is said to be open to all offers for his final season, though he won’t come cheap.
Complicating matters as well is the uncertainty around the 2018 salary cap, with suggestions clubs may be forced to shed players if the final figure lands at a mooted $8.84 million, well short of the $9-10 million some outfits have been budgeting for.
Parramatta are one club with cash to spend thanks to the war chest in excess of $1 million left by Kieran Foran’s release.
The spines at Canterbury and Wests Tigers — who locked in Des Hasler and Ivan Cleary as their long term coaches on Monday — also remain up in the air next season as both club’s sort out messy roster and salary cap situations.
While the Rabbitohs are understood to have been seriously interested in the Maroons and Kangaroos playmaker this time last year, they have since re-signed NSW Origin No.7 Adam Reynolds until the end of 2020.
The Dragons may also be out of the running having gone all in on Ben Hunt for 2018, to the tune of $6 million across a five-year deal with an option for a sixth.
Skipper and five-eighth Gareth Widdop does however remain off-contract, while funds may also be freed up if Josh Dugan chooses to pursue his $1 million asking price — which the Dragons current offer falls short of by roughly $250,000 — elsewhere.
While Cronk’s longtime representative teammate Johnathan Thurston has confirmed 2017 will be his last Origin and Kangaroos campaigns, Cronk has no intention of wrapping up his rep commitments before he retires from club duty.
With fiancée and Fox Sports presenter Tara Rushton based in Sydney, as well as growing media commitments of his own, Brisbane boy Cronk will now make his home behind enemy lines in the Harbour City.
happy_tiger
Well-known member
I'd move for Tara as well
Actually I'm moving for Tara as we speak
Actually I'm moving for Tara as we speak
@ said:
Come on hobbo. Cronk would be the best signing this club has ever made. Besides, it would be the biggest bargaining chip in the game. Whenever attracting a player, "Tedesco & Cronk".
Though, I think we are no chance. He has 3 years left in him and wants instant success, we can't really entice him with the future development of the club.
Cronk: What have you got to offer me?
Club: Y'know….uhh....we....we might re-sign Tedesco.
@ said:
I'm telling Mrs Happy you said that…
Long odds to come here...Who would want to play for Wests Tigers...
Parra would be my bet..
teddy23
Well-known member
Well as much as I rate Cronk, are we seriously going to throw away two promising youngsters in Brooks and Moses for Cooper Cronk for let's say 2 seasons max. Yes Broses are commanding a lot of money, and I don't agree with the amount they are APPARENTLY asking for…... if I'd throw money at another half it'd be Jack Bird. I'd love Cronk at the club but not for both Brooks and Moses, if we just told Brooks to leave and kept Micth I think Moses will learn a lot from Cronk on trying to contain the consistency he had at the end of 2016, Cronk is one of the smartest league players to play the game and his footy brain and experience will bring a lot to the success of this great club in the years to come.
Black_n_White
New member
To be honest, we dont need him to come here…. what we need to do is make it look like we are agressively trying to get him here, make alot of noise and make it publically to regain some control from Isaac Moses.
Storm halfback Cooper Cronk has today informed the Club that 2017 will be his last season at Melbourne Storm.
During his 15 seasons with Melbourne, Cronk, 33, has built himself into one of the greatest halfbacks of the modern era.
His list of achievements in the purple jersey is almost unmatched.
Cronk has played 306 games for Storm, which sees him sit second on the Club's all-time list behind captain Cameron Smith and his 214 wins ranks as the third most of any player in NRL history.
Both a premiership player and Clive Churchill medallist in 2012, Cronk has been named Dally M Halfback of the Year on five occasions and in 2016 claimed his second Dally M Player of the Year award.
Calm under pressure and a natural-born match winner, Cronk's brilliance has provided Storm fans with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
He said the decision to leave the Club he has called home for the last 15 years was an extremely difficult one to make.
"Melbourne Storm has been everything to me since moving down here from Brisbane as a kid back in 2003," Cronk said.
"The Club has helped me grow into the person I am today and I will be forever grateful to Craig, the coaches, my teammates and everyone associated with this great Club for making it such a special place to be a part of. I will always be a Melbourne Storm person."
"To our incredible members and fans, we have shared so many special moments together over the years and I promise you I will be doing everything I can to make 2017 a season we will never forget."
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said that while it was disappointing Cronk would no longer play for Storm, the mercurial halfback will forever remain a legend of the Club.
"What Cooper has achieved here in Melbourne will be remembered by this Club and this city forever," Donaghy said.
"We would have loved nothing more than to see Cooper remain here with us but we understand there are things in life that are more important than football."
"He has given everything to Melbourne Storm over the last 15 years and we look forward to seeing Cooper continue to do so for the remainder of this season and hopefully finish his career with us on a memorable high."
https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2017/04/04/champion_halfback_to.html
During his 15 seasons with Melbourne, Cronk, 33, has built himself into one of the greatest halfbacks of the modern era.
His list of achievements in the purple jersey is almost unmatched.
Cronk has played 306 games for Storm, which sees him sit second on the Club's all-time list behind captain Cameron Smith and his 214 wins ranks as the third most of any player in NRL history.
Both a premiership player and Clive Churchill medallist in 2012, Cronk has been named Dally M Halfback of the Year on five occasions and in 2016 claimed his second Dally M Player of the Year award.
Calm under pressure and a natural-born match winner, Cronk's brilliance has provided Storm fans with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
He said the decision to leave the Club he has called home for the last 15 years was an extremely difficult one to make.
"Melbourne Storm has been everything to me since moving down here from Brisbane as a kid back in 2003," Cronk said.
"The Club has helped me grow into the person I am today and I will be forever grateful to Craig, the coaches, my teammates and everyone associated with this great Club for making it such a special place to be a part of. I will always be a Melbourne Storm person."
"To our incredible members and fans, we have shared so many special moments together over the years and I promise you I will be doing everything I can to make 2017 a season we will never forget."
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said that while it was disappointing Cronk would no longer play for Storm, the mercurial halfback will forever remain a legend of the Club.
"What Cooper has achieved here in Melbourne will be remembered by this Club and this city forever," Donaghy said.
"We would have loved nothing more than to see Cooper remain here with us but we understand there are things in life that are more important than football."
"He has given everything to Melbourne Storm over the last 15 years and we look forward to seeing Cooper continue to do so for the remainder of this season and hopefully finish his career with us on a memorable high."
https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2017/04/04/champion_halfback_to.html
While I think Cronk is a wonderful player I don't think he is right for us.
He will be 34 before the start of next season so you get 1 mayby 2 yrs from him at most.
We don't have the team to challenge even with Cronk for a GF next year so even with an improved performance we still find ourselves with no halfback again in 2019 and in the mean time we would give up the opportunity to sign players in both that position and prob 1 or 2 others.
Also my main worry would be if we went all out for Cronk and missed out which we probably would because of both cash and also because why would he come here then we would have by the time its settled lost our opportunity for other players. In other words for our club its a trap.
I think he will end up at the Dogs or mayby the Sharks (they have townsend off contract and won't have to pay gallen next year)
He will be 34 before the start of next season so you get 1 mayby 2 yrs from him at most.
We don't have the team to challenge even with Cronk for a GF next year so even with an improved performance we still find ourselves with no halfback again in 2019 and in the mean time we would give up the opportunity to sign players in both that position and prob 1 or 2 others.
Also my main worry would be if we went all out for Cronk and missed out which we probably would because of both cash and also because why would he come here then we would have by the time its settled lost our opportunity for other players. In other words for our club its a trap.
I think he will end up at the Dogs or mayby the Sharks (they have townsend off contract and won't have to pay gallen next year)
TopTiger
Well-known member
With Cleary now on board and if Teddy & Woods re-sign plus the other so called signings (i.e. McQueen etc) then we may have a slight chance with Cronk given we can build a team around him with so few players signed for next year and beyond.
DonnyBrasco
New member
He will probably end up at Rabbits, Roosters or Manly.
Location, Location, Location
Location, Location, Location
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
@underdog said:
Especially if its true that the contract Moses reneged on at the Chooks was worth 800k.
Ouch.
teddy23
Well-known member
@ said:
I can't see Brooks as a 5/8, it's good cause both Moses and Brooks have loads of "potential", I think playing alongside Cronk would bring the best out of them for many reasons, I think Moses has more to work with compared to Brooks but there's a price difference, but the way Moses is playing they'd be equal soon.
@ said:
Where does Coops rank on the Plod-O-Metre..
Surely a solid 25/25..
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