Parramatta legend Peter Sterling has warned the NRL club not to sign Cooper Cronk and instead focus on ensuring they get the best out of their incumbent young halves.
Cronk is on the lookout for a Sydney club following his 14-season stint with Melbourne, and the Sydney Roosters remain the front-runners to nab the Kangaroos halfback.
Cronulla are also in the frame, while the Eels emerged as a contender over the weekend when coach Brad Arthur noted they have salary cap space to accommodate 33-year-old Cronk.
Arthur worked with Cronk as an assistant coach at the Storm.
But Sterling, who won four premierships as the Eels’ halfback during their 1980’s dominance, wants the club to put their energy into the blossoming halves partnership of Corey Norman, 26, and 23-year-old Mitchell Moses.
“I don’t think they need Cooper Cronk,” Sterling told radio show Triple M Dead Set Legends on Monday night.
“To me the future of Parramatta for many seasons to come is Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses. The improvement they made in a very short period of time in the second half of this season under the coaching of Brad Arthur was fantastic. They finished top four.
“I don’t think you’re messing with that combination. You’re getting them to play as much football as you can together. They are the future six and seven of the Eels and I would hope they’re going to be around alongside each other for many seasons to come.”
Moses made a huge difference to the Eels following his mid-season move from the West Tigers, helping to spark their attack as they surged up the ladder.
The Eels’ premiership bid was ended by North Queensland in a 24-16 semi-final defeat.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Mushi is correct the Roosters are a one club team. They take one promising player from every districts junior system whilst it's local crowd go next door to watch VFL. However I like Crank at the Eels cause a player like that can create positive media coverage for the game in the heart of league country that every other code desperately want to get into.
mushi
Guest
yep and look at the roster. the team has more one club players suiting up than the vast majority of other clubs out there but lets let your ignorance pervade the public opinion. You are a cancer upon rational thought
BeastieBoy
Guest
The Roosters have forced Pearce out to fit in Cronk. There is NO loyalty at the Roosters. Look at all the champions from their premiership and minor premiership winning teams they have forced out. The club is one mans plaything and does not represent the area. Lets shift them to Gosford and move on.
Sammy
Guest
Sterlo is right - and the arcticle explains perfectly why at this time it makes no sense for the Eels sign the 34 year old Cooper Cronk. Sure, other Sydney clubs desperately need someone like Cronk, but the Eels don't. The Eels finished 4th in 2017 and they have a set of halves that are young and always improving. Why cast those players aside and sign-up a half-back (Cronk) who has maybe 1 year left in the game. Comparing Sterlo's comments about Keiran Foran and Cooper Cronk are just ridiculous. The Eels were in pretty bad shape at the end of 2015 - they were different times, different circumstances. In 2015, the Eels finished equal second last and they desperately needed a half-back with great attacking and organisational skills and also a big name player to fill the void left by Jarryd Hayne. Kieran Foran was the perfect fit. He was only 25 and had years ahead of him. It was no surprise that he was named captain having never played a game for the Eels. No body could have been expected to foresee Foran's off-field issues coming.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
"future Cooper Cronk" Is implying that someone on the Eels roster has shown any signs of becoming the best organising halfback in the game, which nobody has.
Chris
Roar Pro
Their game against the Storm was their best, but it is their sudden death game against a side that they were expected to beat that I am referencing. They had the game to lose and they did through a lack of experience and professionalism that Cronk would provide if he joined. Then they would be much better equipped for a shot at the title.
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
Not really. They led at half time in both finals. They were unlucky not to beat the storm & played an error riddled 2nd half against the cows. Not exactly the halves fault. Yes quality across the park was always an issue given they have no current top tier test or origin players so perhaps Cronk would help in that regard but it's a big gamble to change what is a new & promising halves pairing for what 1 or 2 seasons & then what? Perhaps if rumours of Norman are true but otherwise I'm not sure the disruption would be worth it for 1 or 2 seasons. As good as Cronk is he's played a decade at the same club, same coach, with the same spine so it would take half season to gel. Eels priority is up front grunt & a semi replacement (depending on if/when he's coming back).
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
In fairness to Sterlo (and everyone gets predictions wrong sometimes) who foresaw Foran's off-field issues coming? When he was on the field Parramatta were extremely competitive.
Chris
Roar Pro
This is why Cronk needs to come to Parramatta. With his skills in game domination and experience, it will be better for Norman's career and Parramatta as a whole if he joins, even for one year.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
A Cronk/Moses halves combo would be as lethal as any in the comp. I don't think Norman's game management is where it needs to be if the Eels are going to win a premiership. Although they had some great wins in the past season, they also had some bad losses in which the looked lost and had no direction, including in their finals loss against the Cows. Moses' game would go to yet another level playing along side and being mentored by Cronk. Sterlo is wrong again.
Patrick Logan
Roar Rookie
In a matter of anecdotal incidence, that defeats the purpose of consistency, chopping and changing the team. That is where Sterlo is coming from, how are you supposed to give a man game time and experience if you shunt him out of the team? Would you like to have Cooper Cronk for a few years or the future Cooper Cronk for many years to come?
Chris
Roar Pro
The Eels' exit in the 2017 finals was due to a lack of match control and finals experience. Sterlo believes that he wouldn't be a good signing?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Couldn't agree more.
Benji
Guest
Wasn't the NRL draw due out last Friday?? to keep NRL in the news..
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Firstly, Cronk has already signed with the Roosters IMO so this story is meaningless, but the Eels are in the same boat as the Roosters; they both have an excellent 6 and 7 and are in need of incremental go forward power.
jeandetroyes
Guest
This is the same man who urged them to pull out all stops to sign Kieran Foran. His opinions tend to be treated with far too much awe. Time to call out the emperor's robes. Nice bloke, but not nearly as insightful as some would like you to believe - just a little more articulate and less boorish than his colleagues.