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Cooper Cronk has challenged Roosters halfback Sam Walker to up his game in 2023 by ironing out the weaknesses that are currently holding him back.
Walker has burst onto the scene as an attacking force, but has often been cited as a defensive weakness with many claiming that his tackling is what keeps him out of elite conversations.
“He needs to improve,” said Cronk. “Like any young player in the competition, he’s got areas that he did well and needs to maintain, improve and focus on. But the kid can play footy.
“There’s no doubt that he’s got a bright future but the most important thing for Sam is to hold on to that high, elite skill that we see but also build up some high percentage stuff that can win football games as well.”
Cronk backed Trent Robinson to be the man who could coach the issues out of Walker, with the Roosters boss basing his culture on constant improvement.
“Whether it’s Sam, Luke Keary, James Tedesco or play number 30 on the list, the Roosters will be giving feedback and the players are very much aware of the areas they’ll need to improve,” said the former halfback.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“They know their strengths too and, ultimately, if you keep coming to the game each week attempting to improve the areas that you’re not too good at and forget what you are good at, your game will go backwards. They get a good balance between holding those two.”
Robinson’s side struggled in the halves last year, with Luke Keary and Sam Walker starting as 7 and 6 before swapping midway through the year. They also started slowly, with Robinson’s decision to allow his top players to skip the 2022 trials backfiring as his side struggled to find form until midyear.
“Historically, Trent’s built through the season, but in saying that, it doesn’t mean that trial form and performances are swept under the carpet,” said Cronk. “They critique it as much as anyone else.
“But he knows that there’s a plan, he fully believes in that plan and it doesn’t matter what your eyes say: he’ll stick to the plan and history shows that he gets it mostly right.
“He’s a footy head, he’s forever thinking. It doesn’t matter if you’re a halfback or in the front row rotation or the backline, he’s forever tinkering.
“He sits and judges every performance and if he sees red flags or green shoots, he’ll stick through and follow it. He has the respect of his players and they follow his lead.”
Cronk’s other club, Melbourne, have been decimated early on by injuries and the lingering threat of coach Craig Bellamy pulling the pin on his career at the end of the season.
Cooper Cronk was pleased when he moved from Melbourne to Sydney as he was finally able to get a latte. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
According to the Fox League pundit, however, it won’t matter when he leaves, because he will prepare the ground for the next man up.
“I don’t think anyone at Melbourne knows if it’s Craig’s last or not, because he’s still got that clause to make it later in the year. It doesn’t matter if it’s his first or last year, that football club plays for him every year.
Craig will give the keys to the city to the next person, he’s a very selfless man and Melbourne are a big part of him and he’ll make sure that the next person coming through has the best opportunity to succeed.