Roosters coach Trent Robinson faces two major decisions in the lead up to the 2018 NRL competition.
He can make the first as early as this week by naming new recruit Cooper Cronk as captain.
But he’ll have to wait on the second until long-term halfback Mitchell Pearce, currently in Hawaii on holidays, decides if he’ll continue as a Rooster now Cronk has been signed.
The first is the more vital.
Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend have been co-captains, and while I can never agree with co-captains, especially as both are forwards, Robinson rarely makes a mistake.
But if the Roosters are going to be a genuine premiership contender next season, Cronk is the man to show the way.
The Storm will again be the team to beat.
They are not only the best team, but they are coached by the best in the business Craig Bellamy, and undeniably have the best culture honed over the years by Bellamy.
But without Cronk, will the team and the culture be as successful, or as dynamic?
And with Cronk a Rooster, the Bondi Junction side will obviously be stronger, and because Cronk has 17 years of Storm culture as an integral part of his DNA, the Roosters will be a better unit.
Robinson will see to that.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
He’s come a long way since becoming the eighth coach to win the rugby league premiership in his first year – it’s an elite group.
Balmain’s Tom McMahon was the first in 1952, followed by Norm Provan (1962) and Ian Walsh (1966) during the Dragons record-breaking 11-year dominance.
Leo Nosworthy handed Balmain another premiership in 1969. Phil Gould for Canterbury-Bankstown in 1988, Michael Hagan for Newcastle in 2001, and Ricky Stuart for the Roosters in 2002.
Robinson at 35 was the youngest to join the group in 2013, and also the youngest to win the Dally M Coach of the Year.
He coached the Roosters to the minor premiership in his first three years, and only once in his five years has he failed to at least reach the premiership final.
And he’s achieved all that without the calibre of a Cooper Cronk, one of the greatest halfbacks in the history of the game.
Having watched or covered rugby league for over 60 years, I rate Cronk number two behind Johnathan Thurston, and ahead of Peter Sterling, and Allan Langer, with not much between Andrew Johns, Steve Mortimer, and Ricky Stuart.
And you only have to see Cronk in action for either the Storm, Queensland, or the Kangaroos to know he’s a born leader – even though Cameron Smith is the captain of all three.
Cronk would never make the decisions like Boyd Cordner did in this year’s Origin series.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Leading NSW for the first time, he was a standout in Origin 1 at Suncorp, Queenland’s fortress, with a 28-4 victory.
NSW led 16-6 at ANZ Stadium, just 40 minutes away from a series success, only the second in 12 years.
Having scored 44 points to just 10 in the first 120 minutes of the series, and in complete control, Cordner took the negative path to protect the lead instead the positive approach of increasing it to pay the ultimate penalty.
Queensland scored 12-nil in the second half at ANZ to win 18-16, and ran way with Origin 3 back at Suncorp 22-6.
Cordner’s negativity not only cost NSW the series, but Laurie Daley his job as NSW coach.
That’s one very good reason why Cronk should take over the Roosters captaincy. His ability and his communication skills complete the picture.
As for Mitchell Pearce, Robinson, Cronk, and Cordner have all spoken to him and want him to stay.
But nobody has come up with where they believe Pearce fits in.
As it sits, there’s Cronk, Luke Keary, and Pearce for two pivot spots, unless Pearce takes over Jake Friend’s hooking role.
While it’s important to the club Pearce stays, nothing is more important than Trent Robinson appointing Cooper Cronk captain.
PGNEWC
Guest
David doesn't like Joey -- or Newcastle. He has made that plain in previous Articles
Chook
Guest
I like Cordner as Captain. He doesn't say much. He Does... If players need inspiration they can look at how he plays. As for RTR Act, ask Michael Maguire how effective it is.
Chook
Guest
No Tugger Coleman? He doesn't rate?
Beastie
Roar Rookie
That's a good call and I'm sure SBW's report card should show him as a premiership winning half back as he was directing the team around and had more say on the game play and flow of the game in the GF than Pearce did. To show how much influence Pearce had on the game, his opposite 7 got the MOM award.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
A premiership halfback is usually enough for a report card. But I guess some people will never be satisfied.....
Mike Dugg
Guest
You're having a laugh with sterling and Stuart above langer. And Stuart ahead of Thurston? Lol.
Rod
Guest
I agree Folau was good with ball in hand, he was pretty poor defensively .
Greg Ambrose
Guest
David , big Mal is a largely mistake free Super coach these days which wasn't a title he was burdened with when he coached in the NRL . Has he transformed into something special ? No , he like Walters and Bellamy has the golden 3,4 or 5 in his team to thank for his legacy. Bellamy apparently transformed into a mistake riddled also ran when he coached against the Golden quartet in SOO. I give most of the credit to the players in league but if Meninga coaches in NRL and he does really well with a lesser team then I'll reconsider my stance .
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I've said that a few times myself and some say that Morris was not going to score because the cover defence had him sorted out. I checked to see if I was delusional. Billy Slater was coming across and at best would have collided with Morris on the goal line. Brett Morris is a world class finisher and for Slater to stop this I would vote for immortal status on the spot. I reckon Hayne was looking for his place in history and was still a fair chance of scoring but if he passes NSW win the series and Cordner is praised for his captaincy and playing wounded.
Alan
Guest
Mitchell Pearce's retirement year report card will still contain the phrase "shows potential" and that's about all.
Boydy-In-Brisbane
Guest
Boyd Cordner didn't cost NSW the series earlier this year, Jarrod Hayne did! With just minutes to go before halftime and NSW leading 16-nil, Haynes decision not to pass to an unmarked Morris on the wing was the defining moment. Hayne passes the ball and Morris would have put NSW 20-nil out at halftime and they're home. Mind you, this is not even taking into account that the way Maloney kicks there's every chance he would have landed the conversion from the sideline and made it 22 blot. To blame Cordner is a deadset nuffie of a comment from a man with your experience.
spruce moose
Guest
See I would have put it the other way. Pound for pound, Thurston is a better player. But I think Johns had a period of consistency unmatched by others. From debut to retirement, he barely played a bad game...if ever. Thurston on the other hand, had to ease in a couple of seasons before his awesomeness came to the fore.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Cronk captained the Storm in the 2008 Grand Final. Some of his teammates on that day are among the greatest players in history. Inglis, Slater and Falau plus himself at halfback. They were beaten 40 nil. Cronk either got his team in a huddle and read the riot act in which case it had zero impact or he didn't just like Cordner and that according to you David means that he is not a suitable captain. I wouldn't judge Cronk on this game but I also wouldn't judge Cordner on one game in which he was clearly not at his beat health wise either.. As a Manly fan I watched the match in replay a fair while back and one thing really stood out. Falou was by far the most threatening player on the field. He was unplayable but somehow we stopped him scoring.
Nat
Roar Guru
You've highlighted a couple of good years for NSW there RandyM and while Johns played well, he was only MoM once IN 96 (never in 00) and 4 in total. With him in the NSW team he has a 52% winning %. Again JT has 5 MoM and Wally Lewis PoS (which Johns never won). He also has a winning % of 62%. However, I appreciate an opinion and we are comparing different dominant years.
RandyM
Guest
Johns came off the bench in the 2000 series, but if you actually watch the games he completely takes control when he comes on and tears QLD to shreds. By far the most dominant player in that series. He played hooker in 1996 and once again was the best player of that series by a country mile.
ja ja klazo
Guest
I think with the Johns v JT argument it really comes down to what you are looking at. JT has been consistently amazing over a very long period of time. But Johns at his best was unbelievable and so dominant, Origin II 2005 was an absolute joy to watch - I've never seen JT own a match in that same manner, but he has played very very well in that arena for an exceptional period of time. In my opinion Johns ceiling is higher than JT's but JT has more floorspace.
Nat
Roar Guru
Apples an Oranges Beastie. Johns wasn't the recognised as the best Half or Hooker at the time, he came off the bench in rep games. JT accommodated the team by moving to #6 after Lockyer retired. Cronk is a specialist and 2nd best halfback. JT done the same with the Cowboys when required and still won the Dally M in both. Hence Dally Ms and Golden Boots in 2 positions twice. I'll give you most points in NRL (but your stats are wrong). However, 97 was ARL/Superleague so only the comp... 04, JT did come off the bench in a staked Bulldogs team but took Cowboys to the GF in 05 with Matt Sing the only other recognised rep player. 01, Newcastle had, what 10 rep players, 5 Aust rep that year. Even 2015, the Cowboys had JT, Matt Scott and Morgan as their only reps. I'm not saying Johns was bad, he was great but JT is better in every facet - including game control.
Albo
Guest
100 % ! But of course Brandy had Royce looking after him , whilst Cronk only had Smith !
Beastie
Roar Rookie
So John's isn't as good because he played in a different position, but J.T. is the greatest because he allowed himself to play in a different position? If he was the best, he would be playing in the 7 wouldn't he? That was your argument with Johns? Maybe, just maybe, Johns was good enough to be put in the team in a position where he would act as a hooker in defense and a half in attack to allow for another play maker to be in the team as well. Maybe you should have a look back at the games you criticize him in to see what role he actually played instead of just checking out a team list sheet and making assumptions. Also, he hasn't scored more points (A.J. - 2,176 J.T. - 2,056 with 50 extra games on top of Johns). And his first premiership win was off the bench (which he wouldn't have even been in the team if Steve Price wasn't injured) so he wasn't instrumental in winning that game in the way that a starting/dominant half would be.
jamesb
Guest
"I rate Cronk number two behind Johnathan Thurston, and ahead of Peter Sterling, and Allan Langer, with not much between Andrew Johns, Steve Mortimer, and Ricky Stuart." I only saw the last bits of Mortimer and Sterlings careers. And my memories ain't that great. So I am not going to judge them. From the list that you have provided, here is how I would rank them: 1. Thurston High standard for a long period. 2. Johns Tackled like a backrower. Injury prone towards the end 3. Langer Dangerous runner of the ball. Deadly short kick and re-gather. 4. Stuart A long passer of the ball and a long kicking game. 5. Cronk Structurally works well with Smith and Slater. Controls the game.