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The Weekend Wrap: 24/9/18

September 24, 2018, 12:39 am By Joel Leave a Comment

Storm skipper Cameron Smith has hinted at his potential retirement… if the Storm were to win the Grand Final.

The Storm are confident that five-eighth Cameron Munster will remain in Melbourne, with Storm boss Dave Donaghy saying that Munster has told them “he wants to stay“.

The career of Storm fullback Billy Slater may be over, after he was absurdly charged with a Grade One “shoulder charge” for his try-saving non-shoulder charge on Sharks winger Sosaia Feki – an infringement that carries a base penalty of two matches.

In contrast, Roosters hooker Jake Friend will be fine to play, assuming he submits an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw.

Halfback Cooper Cronk will be racing the clock to take his place in the decider, after scans revealed the former Melbourne star suffered a “severe left rotator cuff injury“.

The Panthers’ re-signing of halfback Nathan Cleary reportedly took place on Thursday – and does not include any sort of clause relating to his father, current Tigers coach Ivan Cleary.

The Sea Eagles have reportedly made an offer to former Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire to take the club’s head coaching gig when Trent Barrett eventually departs.

The Raiders are reportedly in discussions to bring Storm back-up half Ryley Jacks to the nation’s capital.

Cowboys prop Matt Scott will undergo neck surgery this week, in the hopes of avoiding medical retirement.

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  • Rabbitohs linked to Cronk, too

Filed Under: NRL News and Rumours Tagged With: Billy Slater, Cameron Munster, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Jake Friend, Matt Scott, Michael Maguire, Nathan Cleary, Ryley Jacks

Cronk rested for Knights clash

August 18, 2017, 3:44 pm By Joel Leave a Comment

The Storm’s preparation for the finals is already underway, with the team deciding to rest halfback Cooper Cronk from Saturday’s clash with the Knights.

They currently have Jahrome Hughes listed in his place, though Brodie Croft remains a possibility, named on the extended bench.

Cameron Munster also returns from injury.

Be sure to update your fantasy teams.

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  • Cronk to decide future before World Cup
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Filed Under: NRL News and Rumours Tagged With: Cooper Cronk, Melbourne Storm News

Cronk to decide future before World Cup

August 11, 2017, 12:46 pm By Joel Leave a Comment

Good news, sports fans – there’s only another two more months of speculation to go before Cooper Cronk announces his plans for 2018.

According to Fox Sports, Cronk will make an announcement prior to the Rugby League World Cup, which begins on the 27th of October.

“I’ll get through this, Melbourne Storm is in a decent position, had a successful Origin series this year, there’s a World Cup that starts three or four weeks after the NRL Grand Final,” Cronk said. “Hopefully I’ll be part of that, and then somewhere in between, before the World Cup, I’ll make a decision.”

“If you want to play football, you’re a long time retired, but I’ve got to make that decision some time soon.”

The Sharks have been closely linked to a pursuit of Cronk in the event that he chooses to play on, but he doesn’t appear to be in any rush to make that decision.

Oh well. At least now we have a deadline (sort of).

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  • The Weekend Wrap: 27/8/17
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Filed Under: NRL News and Rumours Tagged With: Cooper Cronk, Cronulla Sharks News, Melbourne Storm News

Rabbitohs linked to Cronk, too

July 20, 2017, 11:59 pm By Joel Leave a Comment

Everybody else has been linked to him at one point or another, so the Rabbitohs might as well get a Cooper Cronk mention, too.

According to Triple M, the Rabbitohs could be a “wildcard” in the race for Cronk’s signature, due to his relationship with coach Michael Maguire.

“The wildcard is Souths,” said The Australian reporter Brent Read. “Souths are obviously waiting on James Maloney, but Michael Maguire has got a really close relationship with Cooper Cronk.”

“They know each other from Melbourne and are kindred spirits.” (Aww, that’s sweet.)

“So they’re a bit of a wildcard, but the issue there is that they have Adam Reynolds on a long-term deal and they’re similar players, so I’m not too sure that they’re sold on the idea that those two guys could work.”

Yes, it also occurred to us that they just started the Cronk-Rabbitohs rumour before immediately shutting it down in the same report, but hey – it’s Triple M.

Imagining for a moment that there is some substance to Cronk wanting to play under Maguire; it might be a moot point anyway if the Rabbitohs don’t start winning, with reports emerging last night that Maguire might be under pressure to keep his job.

But it sure is nice to dream about a backline featuring Greg Inglis, Dane Gagai and Cooper Cronk beating up someone other than New South Wales.

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  • The Weekend Wrap: 3/9/17
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  • The Weekend Wrap: 2/7/17
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Filed Under: NRL News and Rumours Tagged With: Cooper Cronk, Michael Maguire, South Sydney Rabbitohs News

Flanagan hopes to meet with Cronk  

July 20, 2017, 10:59 pm By Joel Leave a Comment

We’re not sure if this means that his constant phone calls are going well or poorly.

According to 7Sport, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is attempting to set up a meeting with departing Storm halfback Cooper Cronk, in the hope of recruiting him for 2018.

The report suggests that a decision is expected from Cronk on whether he’ll retire or not before the end of the season; and if he plays on, the Sharks are serious about bringing him to the Shire.

There’s more than just Flanagan hanging on Cronk’s decision, with James Maloney to be forced to see out his contract if the Sharks can’t lure in Cronk.

The fact that clubs are still entertaining the idea of Cronk suggests that in the very least they’re as much in the dark as the rest of us.

Perhaps a sit-down chat will at least clear things up for Flanagan.

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Related NRL News & Posts:

  • Cronk key to Knights’ Maloney bid
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Filed Under: NRL News and Rumours Tagged With: Cooper Cronk, Cronulla Sharks News, James Maloney

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