CHASE FOR CRONK BEGINS AS HALF EYES RETURN
COOPER Cronk has confirmed he wants to play next year and beyond, and the Sydney Roosters would love to have him.
So unless another NRL club emerges in the coming weeks and finds a way to trump powerful Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who almost always gets his man, this deal will happen.
But almost as significant is what it could ultimately mean for Mitchell Pearce, Jake Friend or Luke Keary.
The champion 33-yearold playmaker had finally ended months of speculation and told his agent George Mimis of his intentions at a meeting in Sydney.
“Since the grand final Cooper has been reflecting on his possibilities,” Mimis said. “Today he has advised me that his inclination will be to continue to play should the right opportunity present itself.
“So I will now embark on having some relevant conversations and see where they take us.”
Mimis was adamant no deal had been done.
It is understood Cronk is looking for a two-year contract while he continues to work with Fox Sports.
Despite what some clubs have said publicly, Cronulla, South Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle have all expressed interest since Cronk announced that he was moving north. It would be foolish to rule out any club at this stage but the Roosters will start the race from pole position.
The fact no one from the Roosters has denied continued talk is going on is a clear message.
While Politis has been in Greece, the Roosters have salary cap room that would enable them to keep all their star players if they can offload a mid-range player worth about $400,000.