NRL grand final: Sydney clubs ready to battle for Cooper Cronk after decider

A feeding frenzy among Sydney teams is set to kick off following the final whistle at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night after Cooper Cronk was linked with another club on the eve of the NRL grand final.

Cronulla have already confirmed their interest in the Kangaroos halfback, who is playing his final game for Melbourne against North Queensland in the premiership decider before relocating to Sydney to be closer to his fiancee, television journalist Tara Rushton.

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There was rampant speculation on Saturday that he could join the Sydney Roosters on a one-year contract.

The Roosters deny there have been any negotiations with Cronk’s manager, George Mimis, but with the 33-year-old yet to reveal whether he will retire or not after this year’s World Cup he will not be short of suitors.

True to form, Cronk has not given his teammates any indication of what he will be doing next – but it is wrong to suggest he is flying by the seat of his pants when it comes to his future, as many have assumed.

It is understood he has two contingency plans: one if he does decide to retire with a significant role at Fox Sports among his options; and one if he decides to play on.

Should he keep playing, it would be under a coach at a Sydney club who he respects and can continue to learn from.

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Many believe that narrows the field to two: Trent Robinson at the Roosters and Cronk’s former assistant coach at the Storm, newly appointed Souths coach Anthony Seibold, who is also the Queensland assistant coach.

Souths are adamant they have no room under the salary cap to sign a player of Cronk’s standing. The Roosters don’t either. Halfback Mitchell Pearce has been re-signed for another two years and five-eighth Luke Keary is contracted to the end of next season.

That said, Roosters chairman Nick Politis likes to win and Cronk is a proven winner.

There could also be a corporate role available when Cronk retires. He has made no secret of his desire to pursue a career in business in retirement and the Roosters board – headed by Politis – is the best connected in the city.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has discussed since July the possibility of picking up Cronk. The only way they would be able to fit him into their roster, though, is if they released five-eighth James Maloney from the final year of his contract to take up a deal elsewhere. As much as that would be an attractive option for the Sharks, it is understood the chances of Cronk contemplating a move to the 2016 premiers are next to zero.

Long-time teammate Billy Slater said it would be “weird” playing against Cronk, but he and everyone at Melbourne remains in the dark about the No.7’s intentions.

“Honestly, we don’t even know what he’s going to do,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

If he does extend his career with a Sydney club they will be getting more than just one of the modern game’s greatest playmakers.

Cronk’s influence in Melbourne has stretched well beyond his almost unrivalled ability to steer a team around the park.

Storm centre Will Chambers paid Cronk an enormous compliment before the grand final, saying he had contributed to shaping him as the person he is today.

“I came down here at the end of 2006 and I was then told that I was staying full-time,” Chambers said. “I had nowhere to stay so Cooper gave up a room in his house for me to live.

“I ended up living with him for three years and got to know Cooper very well. He’s been such a big role model and mentor in my footy career and to this day he helps with my footy and tries to improve me.

“But, more importantly, he’s probably helped create me to be the man I am today and I’m forever thankful for that. He’s going to be a very missed person at this organisation.”

If Cronk does retire, Melbourne chief executive Dave Donaghy has told Fairfax Media the Storm are keen to employ him in a role connecting him with the corporate world and having him drive revenue for the club and the code.

Article source: http://smh.com.au/nsw/northern-beaches-model-bree-keller-identified-as-third-sydney-crash-victim-20170912-gyg7uh.html

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