Star Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk has shocked the rugby league community by announcing he will leave the club at the end of the 2017 season after being granted a release.
The decision will see Brisbane-born Cronk move to Sydney, where his fiancee, Tara Rushton, is based.
“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 [Bellamy, Melbourne coach], 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.”
Cronk had recently penned a two-year, $2 million extension with the Storm that would have seen him end his career in Melbourne, however the news now raises the possibility that he will finish his career with a Sydney-based club.
Should Cronk, who has played 306 games in 15 seasons with the Storm, switch sides, he will become the first player in the history of rugby league to change clubs after playing over 300 games with the one team.
However, it is not a yet a certainty that Cronk will be pulling on the jersey of a Sydney-based club, with the star halfback saying he doesn’t know what next year holds for him yet.
Cronk refused to put a timeline on when he will make a decision on his playing career in 2018.
Despite his age – he is currently 33 – Cronk remains one of the finest players in the NRL, and was the joint recipient of last year’s Dally M medal alongside Jason Taumalolo.
The 2016 award was just the latest accolade in an impressive resume for Cronk, who had taken home the medal once before. He was also named the Clive Churchill medallist in 2012, and was named the Dally M halfback of the year five times.
Cronk has been an integral part of the Storm’s success over the past decade, forming a ‘Big Three’ alongside skipper and hooker Cameron Smith and superstar fullback Billy Slater.
While he did not put a timeframe on making a decision for 2018, there are sure to be a host of clubs interested in luring Cronk for next year, with the likes of the Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs both already mentioned as potential suitors for the halfback.
Spencer Kassimir
Roar Pro
Fair shake but manning the helm is very different at #10. Would be fantastic to see something like this in action even if it would just be a publicity stunt. Personally, I think we're in great hands with Bernie but it could be a good dynamic like when Matt Giteau and Jonny Wilkinson were paired up in the latter's final season with Toulon a few years back. That said, Giteau is still going strong at 34 years though the move to Japan seems like more of a well-timed financial tactic than anything else.
KingCowboy
Guest
I know you guys are kidding but some people in Rugby would think it would be a good idea to sign a 33 year old Rugby League star. Thinking it will make the game interesting to the masses.
Moonboot
Guest
CC The perennial dowager - I assume NFL is an attempt at humour although he will claim him as a RL junior spoiled by Vichy Super league.
Moonboot
Guest
Yeah like Just like Manfred Moore, Adrian Barich, Jeff fenech and Darren Clark - those other great cross code NRL signings...
The Barry
Roar Guru
TPA
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
He was an Australian schoolboy rugby player in his youth. Two seasons of Super Rugby then into the Wallabies squad for RWC 2019 in Japan to finish his career! I've heard crazier ideas...
Steve
Guest
Thank you, none of which was mentioned in this article. This post is more informative than the article.
Darren
Guest
thanx for the memmories ...
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The NFL are interested,as much chance as going to Aust rugby union.
Griffo
Guest
Maybe the Giants have room in their cap. He's a better kick than Israel Folau.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
With all the " money" at the ARU's disposal,the current mess re the S18 decision and the uncertainty within the code, the stretching of limited talent over 5 clubs,I suggest Cooper is a little more worldly wise and knows where the action is ,both from his years with the Storm, and his future gig on Fox league. Although" star power" Folau has failed to put extra bums on seats, nor improved Tv ratings,a factor Cronk would also be aware. Cooper has been to Europe with the Roos hardly inexperienced with Intnl travel.,in fact he wants to be with his fiancee who works for Fox.The very reason he is moving North.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I agree, but I think you would find the maximum any club would pay for a player is $1.2m.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
“She loves Melbourne but the funny thing is, she’s worked really hard to get where she is,” Cronk told reporters. “And we’ve had a thousand discussions about the possibilities of things but I’m not about to ask her or force her to give up what she’s worked so hard for. “I think I’m in a position to sacrifice what I’ve done and I’d be more than willing to sacrifice anything that I’ve done for our relationship going forward into the future.” “I’m jealous of the guys who have their families here, who have their loved ones and have football in the same city,” he said. “Unfortunately — or fortunately — whichever side you sit on, it’s time for me to try and prioritise my time and my future and that’s why I’ve made the announcement. “.... If it was a football decision, I’d be staying here for a long period of time. But for me to finish up here at Melbourne Storm this year is a personal (decision) ... there’s a few things in life that are more important than football, like family, getting married and a future. “I’ve been pretty selfish in my approach to my football career and I think it’s time I put someone else and something else first.”
Rob
Guest
He would be a fabulous signing for Australian Rugby.
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
I'm with The Barry - would have thought the ten jersey is his spot. Not that it's going to happen. But still, it's fun to speculate about.
Davico
Roar Pro
Back to your cave Steve, He has said that he wants to move to Sydney for family and the only family he has in Sydney is his fiancé Tara Rushton (who works as a presenter for Fox Sports). Guess you not much of a Storm fan seeing that he alluded to something like this happening last week.
Matthew Russell
Roar Pro
No Tigers will have Brooks, Moses and Cronk.
Rob
Guest
Hunt will be a better player away from the foul stench of the Broncos supporters blaming him for the 2015 GF loss. He was one of the reasons they were even in the GF. Have a look at Anthony Milford's inability to make a tackle and you could find a reason for the 2015 GF loss, but Milford was the bloke who caused the most damage in attack. The better TEAM usually wins. Hunt maybe the missing piece for an already competitive Dragons team.
Matthew Russell
Roar Pro
Release Reyonlds, Lichea and Hopoate. Play 1. Abbey 6. Frawley 7.Cronk 9. Mybe
Steve
Guest
What a rubbish article. "He will move to Sydney where his fiancé is based". What does she do? Why now? Has he actually said this? There' isn't one quote from him actually saying he will move to Sydney to be with his fiancé, or an explanation of this. Has he actually said this? Or is it assumed knowledge?