Hooker dies in training accident
The league community is in mourning following the death of Wynnum Manly Seagulls hooker Mitch Cronin, aged 27. The hooker was found dead in a swimming pool by family members following a weights session on Friday afternoon. The death is being treated as a training accident and reportedly a possible heart attack.
Cronin, who was due to celebrate his 28th birthday next Saturday, had stints with the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders and although he did not play in the NRL Premiership, he played in the Nines tournament in Auckland for each club.
He captained the Seagulls to the Intrust Super Cup grand final last year.
His manager, Paul Hogan, confirmed the death, saying Cronin was found in his parents’ backyard pool in Brisbane on Friday after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Cronin, who also represented Queensland Residents over the past four years, played in the opening round of the Intrust Super Cup season last month before the competition was shut down and subsequently cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A veteran of 108 matches in the Intrust Super Cup, he made his debut in 2014 playing for Souths Logan.
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls issued a statement yesterday to offer their condolences to the family of their club captain.
Broncos chief executive Paul White issued a statement describing Cronin as “a quality young man who left his mark in our game through his actions both on and off the field”.
“He spent plenty of time in the Broncos system and we got to know him well — he was the kind of bloke you wanted playing alongside you, and he was highly regarded across all of rugby league.”
Canberra also posted a tribute on their website to say Cronin was “a well-liked and respected part of the Raiders during his time at the club and was a talented player who could cover a number of positions”.
The Queensland Rugby League remembered Cronin as an outstanding person and leader who inspired those around him.
“Mitchell was a fantastic leader of men and a quality player,” QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said.
“The people who came across him will be in state of disbelief . . . he’s one of the good ones.”