With Cooper Cronk going on the record to say he wants to play on next year in Sydney, the question must be raised as to whether Cooper is worth the money that he demands.
There is no question that Cooper is a legend of the game. He may well go down as one of the best of all time for what he has achieved.
The problem with signing Cronk is – and Phil Gould has raised on numerous occasions – that an athlete is only as good as their last game. If Cooper finished after this year it will be as a leader of a side that had one of the best seasons in the history of the game, premiership winner and possible world champion if Australia win the world cup.
On the opposite side, if he plays on next year for the Roosters it will put pressure on their salary cap. Mitchell Pearce – a one club player with 17 Origin caps – would be sacrificed for something like two years of Cooper Cronk. Pearce still has four or five years left.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
It has also to be noted Cronk is on the cusp of being past his prime. That is not taking away how great of player Cooper is, but Pearce has only just reached the peak of his career.
While Pearce is questionable for NSW, there is no doubt how big of influence he can be on the Roosters. There’s little doubting the passion he plays with, comparing the 2016 and 2017 season of the Roosters.
As for Cooper, he must adjust in style and structure. There have been some great Storm players who once leaving the Storm have struggled to find the same level of success.
The other club left in the two-horse race is the Sharks. To be honest I think for Cooper and the Sharks this would be the best option as the Cronk and James Maloney combination would make them one of the most dangerous in the NRL.
Outside of football Cooper would help develop Chad Townsend and Jayson Bukuya for the future of the club, which is excellent for the Sharks’ future.
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