‘I’M A LONG SHOT FOR GF’

But Cronk will keep on hoping

SYDNEY Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk says he is a “long shot” to play in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Melbourne due to a shoulder injury.

Cronk is racing the clock to be fit to take on his former club after suffering “severe” damage to his rotator cuff in the Roosters’ preliminary final win over South Sydney.

The 34-year-old fronted media with a sling yesterday but has vowed to do everything he can to make himself available for the match.

“I could move it, the best thing is just to immobilise it so I can get some recovery done, try to strengthen it up so the muscles don’t get worked over too much,” Cronk said.

“The whole idea for the sling is to keep it in place, so it’s protected, and do everything I can.”

He was unwilling to divulge the extent of his injury but was unsure about his chances were of taking the field.

“I’m a long shot. That’s not lying,” he said.

Should he recover, the Roosters playmaker is certain to need a painkilling injection and is adamant he could play through the pain.

Having suffered the injury in the first half against the Rabbitohs, Cronk fought through the second half despite being unable to kick or run the ball.

“Pain is what it is, you make it out to be as much as you want it to be. I’ll deal with it,” he said.

“It’s a step process. (I need to be) passing, kicking, tackling, just being able to functionally move it.

“It’s just whether I can functionally move it.”

While he conceded it would be ideal to make an early call, he has given himself until kickoff to decide.

Utility Ryan Matterson and back-up Sean O’Sullivan are options to take his place.

“There’s no doubt that whoever does play, needs the repetitions. But I think considering the magnitude of the game, I might be given up to kick-off,” Cronk said.

“Eighty per cent’s a decent number. I’d go out there at 50 per cent. I’d go out there at 30 per cent.”