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Cronk coy on playing future

Melbourne Storm players Suliasi Vunivalu and Cooper Cronk in torrential rain during the Round 1 NRL match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney, Saturday, March 3rd, 2017. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
1st October, 2017
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Cooper Cronk has kept the door open on his NRL future despite claiming a second premiership with Melbourne in their 34-6 win over North Queensland on Sunday.

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» Watch video highlights from the match

Cronk’s plans have been under intense scrutiny since declaring midway through the year that this would be his final season with the Storm.

But if the veteran halfback had already made his mind up before the decider, he wasn’t going to let everyone know once the fulltime siren sounded at ANZ Stadium.

“I’ll celebrate this, wake up with a hangover for a couple of days and then I’ll have a think about it,” Cronk told the Nine Network after the win.

“It’s really hard to give up moments like this … you work extremely hard for it and the satisfaction of it is so hard to describe in words.

“I know it’s my last time in this jersey. I’ll hang it up with pride … and then I’ve got some thinking to do haven’t I?”

Cronk’s departure from Melbourne means it was the final appearance of the club’s big three in the purple jumper, ending a club combination that began 13 years ago.

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It also allowed the trio to avenge last year’s grand final loss to Cronulla.

“There’s no fairytales in rugby league but working really hard and hoping results go your way,” Cronk said.

“This is one hell of a football team to come back from the disappointment of last year and continually do the hard work and do the things that make you a good footy team.

“I don’t know what I’d be if it wasn’t for Melbourne Storm. It’s been the biggest influence on me and my football career and on me as a person.

“Melbourne Storm makes you bigger than what you are and better than what you are.”

The 33-year-old admitted to being emotional about his exit on grand final eve.

“Yesterday I was a little bit emotional with some of the older blokes who’d been here, like me, for a long time,” he said.

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“We’ve played so many games together but everyone involved in our squad just wanted to send him out the right way.

“Whatever the result tonight Cooper Cronk was always going to be a legend in our club and a legend of the game.

“I thought it was just fitting to finish on a great note. It couldn’t have been better tonight.”

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