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.
Rob
Guest
If you think that defence isn’t just as important as attack in giving a team a shot at winning any games , you’ve got rocks in your head. Of course you need to be able to attack, but the best defensive sides win more often than not. All I need to point to even from last season, is the for & against records for each club. Take a look at Penrith’s for & against, as compared to your Rooster’s for & against . Cleary could tackle way better at 18 in 2016 , than Walker can now.
mushi
Roar Guru
If you read into it he highlighted that they focus on strengths not weaknesses. Think it's a "I'm contractually obliged to provide x minutes of content and we're in that dead period where fans are hyped but we've got no more information than we did back in October..." moment
mushi
Roar Guru
Reading all of his comments it feels like he's trying to say nothing whilst looking like he's saying something. For all the must improves he also says he's good, bright future and you succeed by focusing on your strengths Felt more like a latex glove than a gauntlet.
mushi
Roar Guru
I thought they made it because of his superior kicking game and middle third control. Doubt it's his performance in one of rugby leagues worst stats that got them there.
Rob
Guest
There’s plenty of Nathan Cleary haters on this site. Especially amongst Roosters supporters. Yet when talking about defence, his tackling efficiency rate at a SOO level is 89.4% ,as a halfback. I don’t see too many forwards just running over him . That’s why his club’s managed to make 3 GF’s with him leading them. As a halfback, you still need to be a good defender.
Craig
Guest
There’s a problem right there. They also have to look after Keary on the try line. Other coaches will still be looking at the pair of them as being weaknesses in defence. You don’t even have to run at either every time . Just make the defence think that you are & other defenders squeeze in tighter around them. Leaving holes elsewhere.
mushi
Roar Guru
The irony of complaining about predictability
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
Am sure that Sam Walker would like to try the short kickoff ,given that Easts have Tupou and Suaalii…the best 2 jumpers in the NRL Unfortunately for some strange reason Coach Robinson is very much against short kickoffs The Roosters are so predictible with their kickoffs…the same old same old every time If the Roosters ever want to beat Penrith ( who they have lost to in every game for the past 3 years) they need some new strategy…starting with alternative kickoffs Maybe Robinson has lost his mojo and can’t admit to making mistakes
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, betoota is a joke. Literally I don’t go there to get news…
Gimli
Guest
Betoota :laughing: Ya may as well get ya info from people magazine.
Larry1950
Guest
If you upset Kent, MMW, you must be a salt of the earth good bloke in my eyes. That self opinionated pumped up squid just makes it up to get a headline. As for Walker, not many halves stop rampaging big guys on the line, he is good enough to offset that one deficiency or would still be in the reggies. Qld half down the track, maybe following DCE by 2024.
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks for this. I would really consider joining Twitter just to support Mike. Kent only wishes he had Mike's insight.
Conelius
Guest
Close to his own try line Walker can’t stop big players who break through his tackles. But that is what Robo needs to coach into the players around him to help in defence. But if he lets one try in every second week, it is counteracted by setting up or being involved in three tries scored every week. Interesting fact is Thurston was either top of the miss tackle category or in the top five every year of his career. And he is an immortal in waiting. Ben Hunt went close to Dally M player of the year yet he topped the missed tackle count for season 2023. Most halves are in the top 20 missed tackle count every season.
Cam
Roar Rookie
I mean, he is Sydney City's number one cheer leader "ROOS-TERS, CHA CHA CHA"
Redcap
Roar Guru
Ditto. Mike's a breath of fresh air in our game. Kent's a festering cyst that badly needs to be removed.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wow - I saw this on betoota and thought it was a joke…. Hope everything is ok Mike…
Danno1
Roar Rookie
I think there's be a fair few roarers willing to help out...Kent is moving from a man baby to a creepy clown Hope you're OK
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Sure. He's the worst. Apart from the guys he's better than. e.g. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, both of whom make less tackles at lower efficiency and have more line break causes and try causes. I guess you could always opt for a halfback with better defensive ability... like Brandon Wakeham, Phoenix Crossland or Kyle Flanagan.
Gimli
Guest
Thanks Coops , you can go back to sleep now mate .
Redcap
Roar Guru
This, reportedly (scroll down): https://www.smh.com.au/national/scott-morrison-s-magical-thinking-continues-20230222-p5cmqa.html