MASTER AND THE APPRENTICE
CRONK SHOWS FULL RESPECT FOR MORGO
THERE will be no war of words between Michael Morgan and Cooper Cronk ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final, with the opposing halfbacks keen to sing each other’s praises.
Cronk ( right) has long held the mantle of the game’s best No. 7 after sharing the Dally M with Cowboys hulk Jason Taumalolo last season while also claiming his first Golden Boot Award.
But it is Morgan who has emerged as the form player of this year’s finals series after guiding North Queensland to an unlikely grand final appearance from eighth place.
Morgan has been sensational in the wake of Johnathan Thurston’s season- ending shoulder injury and Cronk was comfortable to admit the Cowboys playmaker had surpassed him on form.
“He’s probably ahead of me at the moment,” Cronk said.
“He’s playing elite – there’s no doubt about it.
“His fingerprints and influence on the game, along with a lot of other players, has driven North Queensland to the position they’re in.
“So simple answer – he probably is ( the best halfback in the NRL).”
Morgan couldn’t help but chuckle when asked about Cronk’s comments and he was quick to declare the Storm champion was still streets ahead of his own talents.
“I know that Cooper’s far and beyond a better and smarter player than I am,” Morgan said.
“As good as it is to be compared to him, I’m not thinking I’m better than Cooper Cronk.
“He’ll go down as one of the best halfbacks the game’s seen and I know that. I’m a big fan of him and he’s someone that I do look up to as a player.
“People will compare us because we’re both wearing the No. 7, but it doesn’t bother me too much.”
Cronk has been a big influence on Morgan’s stunning rise as a playmaker this season, with the Cowboys star saying Cronk’s professionalism during their time for Queensland and Australia had changed the way he approached his own game.
“Without talking to him, I’ve learnt off him,” Morgan said.
“Whether it’s just the way he prepares himself for a game, the things he does at training, the amount of time and effort he puts into smaller things that other people probably don’t take as much notice of.
“You realise he’s been that good for 300 games and you don’t have a career that long without putting in hard work and continually doing it each year.
“He hasn’t plateaued throughout his career, he’s continued to be the best and that’s a big reason why.”
Cronk said he was flattered by the kind words from Morgan, but insisted all credit goes to his grand final counterpart and the strong culture at the Cowboys.
“Whatever I said, honestly, it’s minute compared to the work he’s done along with Paul Green. Johnathan Thurston’s probably had his fingerprints on his game plan and style,” Cronk said.
“I haven’t done much, he’s done all of it.”