Maroons skipper ready to lay it on line for Cronk

QUEENSLAND skipper Cameron Smith is preparing for his last State of Origin series with Melbourne teammate Cooper Cronk, saying that he thinks the halfback is ready to hang up the boots.

Cronk, who revealed in April he would be finishing up with the Storm at season’s end, still has not decided on wheth- er he will play on next year or retire.

The Maroons No.7 has not signed with any Sydney clubs for next year, which is where he said he would base himself so he can live with fiancee Tara Rushton.

While it is unclear whether he will retire altogether, Melbourne football director Frank Ponissi did say over the weekend that he would offer Cronk a role as halves coach if he did not continue playing.

Like everyone else, Smith is still in the dark about Cronk’s future plans, and also appeared to be unaware of Ponissi’s plans for the club’s star playmaker.

But he does believe Cronk is leaning towards retirement.

“What he decides to do is entirely up to him,” Smith said.

“At this stage – and I’m sort of throwing darts here – but I reckon he may finish up. I just get that feeling.

“But I also wouldn’t be surprised if he plays on.”

If Smith’s gut instinct is right, it would mean this year’s Origin series would be the halfback’s last.

With Johnathan Thurston set to retire and Queensland also dropping players including Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday and Jacob Lillyman after the Game One debacle, there are plenty of changes coming for the Maroons.

Even with those question marks over Cronk, Smith said he will play as if it is his longtime teammate’s last series.

“We’re all aware of the situation that this may be Coops’ last Origin series,” he said.

“If it is, we want to make sure we go out and play well.”