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Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk has decided on where he will play in 2018, accepting a contract offer from the Sydney Roosters.
Journalist Danny Weidler broke the news on Monday morning, reporting that Cronk has accepted a two-year deal to join the Roosters, and it was formally announced by the club in the afternoon.
“The Sydney Roosters are a proud club with an esteemed history, and this is an exciting new opportunity for me, said Cronk.
“It marks the start of a new chapter for me both professionally and personally and I look forward to joining my new teammates and coaches, and immersing myself in the club’s culture in lead-up to the 2018 season.”
The news means Cronk will extend his career at a new club after a long and successful time playing with the Storm, including winning this year’s premiership.
Cronk confirmed earlier this year that he would move to Sydney in 2018 to be closer to his fiance, but it was not clear at the time whether or not he intended to join a new NRL club.
Now however his destiny lies with the Roosters, who will hope he can take them a few steps further than the preliminary final exit their season ended in this year.
It’s unclear at the moment what this news might mean however for Mitchell Pearce, who will be heavily impacted by Cronk’s arrival the club.
Pearce has been linked to both the Manly Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights if he decided to leave the Roosters because of the Cronk contract.
Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner has said that he hopes a way can be found to balance the side with both Pearce and Cronk.
“If it does happen and there can be a way to have all three halves (including five eighth Luke Keary) playing in the same team, I think if you can make it work, then what a force,” said Cordner.
However others believe there’s no way to make it fit. Paul Gallen recently said as much.
“I think if Cooper Cronk does sign with the Roosters, I don’t think Mitchell Pearce can stay,” Gallen said.
“I don’t think the positions of Pearce, (five-eighth Luke) Keary and Cronk fit in together.
“I don’t think you can turn Pearce, who has been a halfback his whole life, into a bench player.”