Cronk ponders landmark, NRL future
Cooper Cronk has enjoyed a trip down memory lane before his landmark 356th NRL game but is yet to confirm whether he will draw the curtain on his career. Almost 20 years after running around for the Queensland Cup club, Cronk is primed to leapfrog Brisbane great Darren Lockyer (355 games) and trail just ex-Storm teammate Cameron Smith (392g) on the all-time appearance list. "To pass Darren's milestone in Queensland is fitting in a regard but I take 356 games like I did others," Cronk said. "But there are fond memories coming back here (Bishop Park). This is where it all started.
He's only 16, but negotiations are underway. And he's the son of a former NRL player.
Such is their preparation and professionalism, the Roosters have already held discussions with the teenage sensation , according to The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield. MORE: Cameron Smith's touching tribute to retiring Cooper Cronk . Walker is a rugby union product but plays the 13-man code
© Credit: The Daily Telegraph Meet the 16-year-old earmarked as the long-term replacement for Cooper Cronk.
Sam Walker, son of former NRL player Ben Walker, is high on the Roosters' radar after star halfback Cronk announced his NRL retirement on Monday.
Such is their preparation and professionalism, the Roosters have already held discussions with the teenage sensation, according to The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield.
Walker is a rugby union product but plays the 13-man code on weekends for the Ipswich Jets under-18s in the Mal Meninga Cup.
‘’The Roosters think long-term, they think smart, so they’ve identified a youngster Sam Walker,’’ Rothfield told NRL 360 .
Brilliant Broncos end Roosters' winning streak
Melbourne Storm remain top of the NRL as Sydney Roosters suffered their first loss since round one, going down 15-10 to Brisbane Broncos.
Cooper Cronk ’ s grandma didn’t miss an opportunity to mention his second-minute sin bin in the Roosters ’ shock 15-10 defeat against the Broncos when he called to reveal his retirement Cooper Cronk announces his retirement in Sydney. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images.
Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk is expected to announce his impending retirement from rugby league on Monday. The Sydney Roosters have called a press conference for 10am (AEST). Nine NRL reporter Danny Weidler said that Cronk was set to announce the end of his storied career. https
‘’He turns 17 this year and 18 next year. He goes to Ipswich Grammar, he plays rugby union there and the ARU are desperately all over him. He’s Ben Walker’s son.
‘’Two weeks ago he came down and met Trent Robinson, Nick Politis and also met with Luke Keary.
‘’They put the big sell on him and while he won’t be ready next year or the year after, they have identified this boy as a long-term replacement for Cooper Cronk.
‘’He’s a super player and he’s a very intelligent player. He’s been well-schooled and the Roosters were really, really impressed with him as a person, not just as a footballer.’’
Host Ben Ikin, who is close friends with his father, suggested Walker could be ready for the NRL at the age of just 17.
‘’I’m hearing a little different about the speed of his development,’’ he said.
Cooper Cronk's grandma's hilarious retirement sledge
Brutal.
With the addition of the NRL great, the Bondi club have the final piece of their puzzle – the leader and organiser they has longed for.
When Cooper Cronk announced his retirement on Monday, Trent Robinson shot down the star's claim about his career. Cooper Cronk revealed as real Cooper Patrick Cronk (born 5 December 1983) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Sydney Roosters .
‘’Such is his talent and emotional maturity that you might find he ends up playing some NRL football next year.’’
Brisbane reportedly signed Walker as a 12-year-old on a scholarship, however that deal finishes at the end of the year with rival clubs ready to swoop.
The Bulldogs have offered almost double than the Roosters, however Rothfield reports Walker is favouring Trent Robinson's record of developing young players.
The Warriors have also flown out to get a first-hand look at the young talent.
If he chooses the reigning premiers, Walker could possibly have the opportunity to work with Cronk who is heading in the direction of a consultancy role for the club's future playmakers.
Cronk also has a career in the media on the table and the NRL will be desperate to keep him involved in the game.
Pictures: The greatest moments in NRL history
From 1908 until 1994, Australia’s first rugby league competition was ran by New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL). However, the league along with other minor premiers were re-unified to form National Rugby League in 1998. A look at some of the most memorable moments over the years.
Cronk faces the truth about his legacy
When Cooper Cronk announced his retirement on Monday, Trent Robinson shot down the star's claim about his career.
Cronk ' s absence felt as NRL premiers Roosters thrashed by in - form Knights . AOL 24 May 2019. Without star halfback Cooper Cronk - who was rested after announcing his pending retirement on Monday - the Roosters were unable to come up with the answers to some rampant attacking from.
Roosters half-back suffered rotator cuff injury in preliminary final win over South Sydney.
2015 - North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos
In first NRL final that ended in a draw, North Queensland claimed victory over Brisbane 17-16 in golden point extra time. It was their first premiership title. The winning goal was scored by Johnathan Thurston (R), who was awarded the Clive Churchill medal.
(Pictured) Matthew Scott and Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys hold aloft the premiership trophy after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match.
2014 – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
Since 1971, Rabbitohs won their first ever title with the help of Sam Burgess’ (pictured) incredible performance that earned him the Clive Churchill Medal. The final score was 30-6.
2013 – Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Sea Eagles
With 18-8 lead, Manly had everything under control until the last 25 minutes when Roosters made a stunning comeback to win the final for the first time since 2002. Roosters secured 26-18 victory when Michael Jennings (pictured) broke through to ground James Maloney's grubber in the last few minutes of the game.
Cronk speaks out on Smith 'bad blood'
Cooper Cronk has spoken about claims of 'bad blood' with Cameron Smith, after the champion pair traded glowing tributes.
COOPER Cronk ’s arrival at the Sydney Roosters could set off a chain of events which changes the halves pairing at three clubs. It all comes down to whether the Roosters can squeeze Cronk into their salary cap while keeping current players Mitchell Pearce and Jake Friend content.
Cooper Cronk has opened the door for the Sydney Roosters to make a significant play for him after he told his manager he wanted to play on in 2018.
2012 – Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
In one of the most controversial moment in NRL history, Bulldogs’ James Graham (R) bit the ear of Storm’s Billy Slater (L), for which the former received a 12-match ban. Storm won the final 14-4.
2008 – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Melbourne Storm
Team Manly thrashed their opponents by the biggest ever margin (40-0) in the game’s history. The highlight of the game was Michael Robertson’s (L) hat trick tries that made him the first player to score three tries since Steve Renouf in 1997. The final also saw Steven Menzies equal Terry Lamb's record of 349 first-grade games.
2005 – Wests Tigers vs. North Queensland Cowboys
It was the first ever grand final appearance for both the teams, where West Tigers’ won 30-16. Tigers’ Brett Hodgson displayed an incredible performance by scoring five goals.
2004 – Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Sydney Roosters
In the first half of the game, Bulldogs were trailing 13-6, but in the second half they quickly covered the lead with the help of Matt Utai and Hazem El Masri. During the last few minutes of the game, Bulldogs were leading 16-13, when Roosters’ Michael Crocker (pictured) made a break on the 40m line but was tackled by Bulldogs Captain Andrew Ryan. The Bulldogs win the final 16-13.
Cooper Cronk's pending retirement will leave big gap, teammates say
Cooper Cronk was the outsider when he quit the Melbourne Storm for the Roosters, but 18 months later, he is leaving a lasting mark on the Sydney-based club. On Monday, the 35-year-old announced his retirement at season's end, having already clocked up 357 games — the second-highest number in NRL history. "It's been one a hell of a ride," Cronk said at the SCG on Monday. After 14 seasons with the Storm, the Brisbane-born Cronk was ushered into the Roosters' line-up in 2018 to replace the enigmatic halfback, Mitchell Pearce. It was both an upsetting and awkward time for Cronk and his future eastern suburbs team mate.
COOPER Cronk has officially been signed to the Sydney Roosters . Australia halfback Cooper Cronk has been signed to the Roosters .Source:AAP. “Everyone hammers him and bags the crap out of him for Origin all the time but if you have a look at his club level playing, you cannot fault him
The Sydney Roosters have set their eyes on a 16-year-old boy as their long-term replacement for Cooper Cronk . Sam Walker, from Ipswich, flew from Queensland to Sydney with his father, former NRL star Ben Walker, to meet with the eastern suburbs club a fortnight ago
2003 – Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters
In the last game with Penrith, Scott Sattler made one of the greatest tackle in NRL history. It was a turning point of the game when Sattler chased down and made a tackle on the Roosters’ winger Todd Byrne (in white), sending him out of the field. Panthers won the game – 18-6.
2001 – Newcastle Knights vs. Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels were trailing 24-0 at high time and did everything to fight back but fell short. Knights won the final 30-24. The highlight of the match was Timana Tahu's (pictured) second-half try, where he got tangled up with Luke Burt before putting the ball down inside the chalk.
1999 – Melbourne Storm vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
At half-time Dragons were leading 14-0 and everyone thought the game was going to end in their favor. However, Storm made a stunning comeback when Anthony Mundine knocked on over the try line that proved to be a turning point in the game. Storm quickly covered up the lead to 18-14. In the 77th minute, Brett Kimmorley bombed to winger Craig Smith but before he could ground it, Dragons’ Jamie Ainscough knocked him unconscious. The video referee gave a penalty try to Storm, which was successfully converted. Storm won the game 20-18.
1997 – Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Newcastle Knights’ Andrew Johns helped his team reach their first final against defending champions Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Before the final game, there were concerns about Johns’ health as he had suffered a punctured lung, however, he went ahead and played the final. Both the teams were tied at 16-all and in the final moment of the game Johns ran down a narrow blind side and slipped a pass to winger Darren Albert who successfully scored, giving the Knights a 22-16 win over Manly.
'Very much a Rooster': Sydney coach Trent Robinson lauds Knights half Mitchell Pearce
'Very much a Rooster': Sydney coach Trent Robinson lauds Knights half Mitchell Pearce
Cooper Cronk , the Roosters ' million man. Let’s ponder the obvious hypothetical question: if the Roosters had also kept Pearce as they wanted, instead of granting him a release to the Knights, would they have dropped Cronk — one of the most dominant halfbacks in the past decade — or persisted
The Roosters fooled everyone with the true nature of Cronk ’s injury. It might be the last time it happens with the NRL considering tough new rules around injury disclosure. Great grand final ruse: Cooper Cronk and Trent Robinson tricked the public into thinking the star half had a rotator cuff injury.
1989 – Canberra Raiders vs. Balmain Tigers
In one of the greatest final, Canberra Raiders defeated Balmain Tigers 19-14. The final witnessed Canberra’s Steve Jackson come off the bench to score his memorable try that earned his team their first premiership.
1975 – Eastern Suburbs vs. St George
The 1975 final is best remembered for Graeme Langlands wearing white boots rather than the standard black. But the main highlight was his groin injury for which he was given a painkilling injection just before the game. Instead of reducing the pain it numbed his leg completely. Talking about the incident, he wrote in his book “Larrikin and Saint” – "It was an injection that went wrong. It wasn't the doctor's fault. The injection went in where the nerves shouldn't have been. They had moved because of all the injuries that I've had around the groin." Eastern Suburbs won 38-0.
(Pictured) Graeme Langlands talks to media during an NRL press conference at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 1, 2014.
1970 – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
In the 1970 final between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, South’s captain John Sattler turned out to be a star player. In the opening moments of the game, Sattler suffered a double fracture of his jaw after being punched by Manly’s John Bucknall. However, he decided to continue playing and said to his teammate Mike Cleary, "Hold me up so they don't know I'm hurt." South Sydney won the final 23-12.
(Pictured) John Sattler talks to the media during a NRL Grand Final media opportunity at Rugby League Central in Sydney on Oct. 3, 2014.
15/15 SLIDES
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REVEALED: Why Trent Robinson rested Sydney Roosters veteran Cooper Cronk.
Robinson’s controversial call to rest Cronk backfired badly in the Roosters’ heavy loss to the Knights.