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How Cooper Cronk enhanced his legacy

Roar Guru
8th October, 2018
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Roar Guru
8th October, 2018
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At the start of this year people questioned what would happen to Cooper Cronk if he failed, or worse still, if the Roosters failed to live up to expectations.

People claimed his legacy would be tainted and that he would be proven to be a ‘system’ halfback who thrived with the greatest fullback and number nine of all time.

Now that the Roosters have gone onto win the 2018 premiership, it has to be asked what this means for Cronk. Has he elevated himself to join the cream of this generation, sitting alongside the Thurstons, Smiths and Slaters of the era.

Or has he gone past them?

While he may not be as talented as the other three, legacy does not always come down to just talent.

LeBron James is the most talented player I have ever seen on the basketball court. This talent has not led him to at this point to the greatest legacy in history. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant at this stage still have a much bigger legacy on the game of basketball.

This comes down to the fact that they had a work ethic like no other and also they won rings, Jordan never losing in the finals and Kobe winning five from seven. Winning is a huge part of one’s legacy and Cronk has now won more premierships than all three.

He has the chance to go back to back next year.

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The QLD Origin dynasty came to an end in 2014 when Cronk was out with a broken arm.

In my biased, Roosters-focused opinion, I believe his legacy has been greatly enhanced by joining the Roosters.

Cooper Cronk

Cooper Cronk of the Roosters (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

He has proven himself one of the greatest organisational halfbacks in the game’s history. His game in the 2018 GF will join the likes of John Sattler, Shane Webcke and Sam Burgess for sheer toughness. While he was at best a passenger, he was fantastic directing traffic and providing inspiration for his team.

Smith, Slater and Cronk will forever be linked for what they were able to achieve at all levels of the game.

Their level of play after the salary cap scandal is era-defining. The spine of Slater, Thurston, Cronk and Smith at rep level won everything and enjoyed the greatest Origin winning streak in history.

With Cronk joining the Roosters he was able to step out of the shadow of his more talented ex team mates and has created a new chapter that may redefine how people view his career. He will no longer be thought of as a member of a great spine or the least important player of the big three.

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Cronk took a massive risk in not retiring and deciding to join the Roosters. He has shown he is more than just a product of the Storm system and that he did not rely on the brilliance of Smith and Slater but may leave the game with the greatest legacy.

With Slater retiring it is hard to see the Storm making four grand finals in a row. The Sharks have lost Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen will be another year older. So who is to say that the Roosters cannot send Cronk out as a premiership winner for three years in a row with two different teams and perhaps the greatest winner of his generation?

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