Cooper Cronk has opened the door for the Sydney Roosters to make a significant NRL play for him after telling his manager to begin taking offers for 2018.
Cronk had remained coy on his future since announcing in April he was leaving Melbourne to move to Sydney to be closer to his partner Tara Rushton.
But on Friday, the 33-year-old met his manager George Mimis to take his career into at least a 15th season if the right offer was on the table.
“Cooper has advised me today that should a suitable opportunity be available, he will consider continuing his career in Sydney,” Mimis said.
“I will now undertake some discussions to determine the feasibility of that for him.”
The Roosters remain the most-likely destination for the two-time Dally M winner.
The club’s chief executive Joe Kelly didn’t return calls on Friday, but they are yet to deny links between Cronk and the club.
They would also likely prove the most enticing on-field option for the Queensland and Australian halfback.
With an already established roster, he could be the missing piece to the club’s jigsaw puzzle, having finished in the top two four times in the past five seasons for the one premiership.
The arrival of fullback James Tedesco could also allow Cronk to build a Billy Slater-like combination with him at the back.
His arrival, though, might create chaos in the player market and throw serious doubts over the futures of Mitchell Pearce, Luke Keary or even Jake Friend.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan also flagged his interest earlier in the year, as part of a move that could potentially have freed up five-eighth James Maloney to chase more money elsewhere.
Some clubs have already made clear they won’t be making a late offer.
South Sydney general manager Shane Richardson confirmed that last week, while Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and his Penrith counterpart Brian Fletcher both told AAP on Friday their clubs weren’t interested.
Canterbury also aren’t in a position to do so, given they have just solved their own salary-cap woes, while it’s unlikely Parramatta or St George Illawarra will make any play given recent investments in their halves combinations.
ruben
Guest
I hope Newy has more sense than to go for Cronk. Please don't put an offer in.....please
Steve
Guest
I see the Roosters propaganda machine is well and truly working overtime. So you want us to believe that they were entirely willing to go into next year with a 1 million dollar war chest? Quite a stroke of luck just happening to have a spare mill to throw around at an opportune time. Seriously, if the Roosters are allowed to sign Cronk and not offload a high tier player like Pearce or Friend then we will know for certain that the salary cap is a rort.
Brian S
Guest
After watching Cronk this year, i thought he was a bit up & down ? i could see he had regained a bit of game consistency in the last few rounds, & once we hit the finals, he seemed to be chasing the ball, which worked out well for us ! I really can't see him playing another full season the way he has been for Storm ? ! This could be another of the old why did he play that extra season? he may be remembered for this, which i would think he wouldn't like !
Mighty one
Guest
I understand that if Cronk signs with the Roosters he will partner Pearce in the halves with Keary and Friend sharing the dummy half role- It doesn't seem they will need to release anyone- 400k left to spend plus Nikorima on 370k going to the Bronco's - Roosters paying 150k of this- A TPA will fund the balance of the contract. The above All depends though on what Parra will offer and any other club interested in him - Sharks/Knights for an example- Souths I understand are re-assessing if they can fit him in under their cap - Crowe would know some corporates who could fund a TPA too one suggests.
Mighty one
Guest
Parramatta have now entered the bidding war for Cronk - Sharks and Knights also interested- Sharks would need to release Maloney - Knights long odds as Cronk wants to stay in Sydney although Cronk could commute daily from his Sydney residence to Newcastle? Cooper Cronk contract: Roosters face fight from Parramatta Eels to snare halfback’s signature The Telegraph · 14 minutes ago PARRAMATTA remain hopeful of snatching Cooper Cronk from under the Sydney Roosters grasp. While the Roosters are the red-hot favourites, coach Brad Arthur has confirmed his club was interested in the Melbourne Storm…
Paul
Roar Guru
Might happen Oingo, but even with Kronk, I seriously doubt they'll win a flag. There's an assumption champion players can move into a new team and somehow turn a bunch of good players into champions. Easts have an aging forward pack, Pearce and Keary will have their noses out of joint and Cronk will have to learn a system that has zero to do with Melbourne's style of play. Obviously one of the halves will have to give way for him and I can't see either being thrilled with playing reserve grade or playing out of position. What happens if Kronk gets injured, or decides half way through the season it's all too hard and I've got a cushy commentating gig waiting for me? What happens if, heaven forbid, he doesn't perform? All of this for a guy who might last a season or two. Tough way to earn a flag and keep players loyal, I reckon. Eastrs and Kronk deserve each other.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Excellent example of passive aggressive Paul. I hope he goes to the Roosters also , but im not sure how they would engineer the team on the back of it. I held high hopes for Pearce this year in both the Premiership and Origin , but he has proven me to be a delusional optimist . Im at odds to explain why but he goes AWOL with monotonous regularity when hes needed the most , whereas Cronk does the exact opposite . The Roosters + Cronk = Premiership.
Paul
Roar Guru
I hope Cronk does go to Easts. That move will leave Pearce and/or Keary in the cold for at least a season and destroy a perfectly workable halves combination, all for the sake of getting a 33 year old for one maybe 2 seasons. Lots of forward thinking going on at the Roosters
soapit
Guest
really doesnt mind making a bit of a soap opera does he.
Norad
Guest
Waratahs got any money?