Gallen and Thurston believe Cronk’s an out
Voices of experience point to effect of their own shoulder injuries
PAUL Gallen and Johnathan Thurston can’t see Cooper Cronk playing in tomorrow’s NRL grand final if his shoulder injury is as bad as first diagnosed.
Both Gallen and Cowboys legend Thurston have had shoulder injuries in recent years, with the Sharks captain most recently missing last Friday’s preliminary final against the Storm.
A shoulder issue ruined Thurston’s penultimate season in the NRL.
Cronk’s left arm may have been out of the sling at Thursday’s joint press conference but whether the 34-yearold plays is unlikely to be revealed until an hour before kick-off.
Cronk and the Roosters have refused to reveal the full detail of the injury, following scans last Saturday night, other than to say it is “severe” and includes damage to the rotator cuff .
But Gallen, who also had just a week to recover before pulling up short, said he couldn’t see any way Cronk would be fit to play in a record eighth grand final as a halfback.
“He’s no chance of playing,” Gallen said.
“I think his is worse than mine to be honest with you. I can’t see him playing.
“We all know we can play with pain and get painkillers, but at the end of the day if your arm doesn’t function you can’t play.
“That was my problem. I doubt he’s going to be able to pass the ball more than a metre or two. I’d be surprised if he plays.”
Thurston knows Cronk’s meticulous recovery efforts better than most, having seen him return ahead of time from a broken arm to play in a State of Origin dead rubber in 2014 for Queensland.
But he’s also aware a shoulder problem is a different beast, having had his 2017 season ruined by the injury.
Cronk’s determination to play on last weekend with his arm dangling by his side was reminiscent of Thurston in
Origin II last year.
The North Queensland playmaker had previously missed a month with the injury and was then sent for seasonending surgery.
“If it’s anything like mine he’ll be no chance,” Thurston said.
“If there’s a small tear there he might be able to get away with it, but if it’s a big tear, a rotator cuff, you need that to tackle, pass and kick and do everything.
“It’s not like coming back from a broken arm.
“Hopefully for his sake and the Roosters’ sake it’s only small and he’ll be there on Sunday.”