Don’t leave, there’s room for us both

SYDNEY Roosters star recruit Cooper Cronk made a special and unprompted phone call to Mitchell Pearce yesterday, urging the disgruntled NSW star not to walk out on the club.

Cronk, 34, ended weeks of speculation yesterday by signing a two- year, $ 2 million deal with the Roosters.

He elected against implementing a 10- day cooling- off period and will start with the Roosters after Australia’s World Cup campaign.

The question now is whether incumbent halfback Pearce remains with the club, despite having two seasons remaining on his contract.

With Cronk brought in as a No. 7, Pearce will either shift to fiveeighth or be used from the bench as a dummy half.

Pearce met with Roosters coach Trent Robinson yesterday to “clearthe- air” about Cronk’s arrival.

Speaking exclusively on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 program last night, Cronk said he hoped Pearce would stay at Bondi.

“I had a chat to Mitchell earlier today — I won’t go into the specifics — but it wasn’t about me convincing or preaching or anything like that,” Cronk said.

“Mitchell has been front and centre at the Roosters for a long period of time. I think there are a few things I could help him with and there are a lot of things he could help me with.

“My preferred option is that everyone stays and dives into the Roosters’ culture, which is something I will have to dive straight into and understand.

“I will say this — one of the exciting things and lures to play at the Roosters was to play alongside ( halves) Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary.

“Both those kids have an arsenal of weapons to dominate the halves. For me to come along and play with them, they are definitely going to teach me something as well.

“There are some traits Mitchell has that I think I can learn from. There are some traits I have that they might be able to learn from.

“I’m not a person who wants to come in and dominate. I’m not a person who wants to be ‘ the man’. I like to sit back and pull the strings in the background and help the blokes in and around me be the best footballers they possible can … happy to assist everyone.

“I will be rowing in exactly the same direction as Trent Robinson wants me to.

“As long as we have a selfless team- first mindset, a thirst to want to work hard and be prepared to roll the sleeves up and get the job done, I’m sure all players can fit in the system.”

Cronk said he was close to retiring before being drawn back for another two seasons after winning the title with Melbourne this year.

“The Roosters ticked a lot boxes,” Cronk said.

“I honestly thought retirement was going to be the choice. But I got to the finals and really had that drive, excitement and pressure of finals football.

“It will be one hell of a challenge but I am excited about it. Seeing myself in a different jersey next year will be difficult. But I love being tested, love being put under the microscope and having pressure to play the best you can.”

The TAB quickly installed the Roosters as $ 5 favourites for next season’s title from Melbourne ($ 6.50) and North Queensland ($ 7). of