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http://www.nrl.com/cronk-poised-for-shock-nrl-return/tabid/10874/newsid/64435/default.aspx
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk is poised to make a shock return for Friday night's NRL blockbuster against Manly at Brookvale Oval. Cronk didn't travel with his teammates but was expected to catch a later flight on Thursday night, increasing his chances of being a late inclusion for the hotly anticipated top-of-the-table match.
One of the Storm's 'big three' with Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, Cronk injured his ankle in the round 23 win over Gold Coast and would give the ladder leaders a major boost against their fierce rivals Manly. "He didn't travel with us, but that's not to say he won't be playing," assistant coach Kevin Walters told AAP on Thursday.
"We'll give him every chance to get himself right, so we'll just see what happens in the next couple of days." Considered little chance of returning this week when coach Craig Bellamy left him out of the side named on Tuesday, the Test and Queensland representative has worked hard on his recovery in a desperate bid to take on the Sea Eagles.
"He's been improving which is really good, and he's a real professional with his footy and looking after himself, so he's given himself every chance that's for sure," Walters added. "He hasn't spent a lot of time with the team this week so 50/50 is probably a good call of where he is at. "It is a big game, but we went in last week (an 8-6 win over St George Illawarra) without him as well and we got through OK." Cronk's likely inclusion shows Melbourne's desire to keep their club record 12-game winning streak going - but also how much they value victory over the Sea Eagles."
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk is poised to make a shock return for Friday night's NRL blockbuster against Manly at Brookvale Oval. Cronk didn't travel with his teammates but was expected to catch a later flight on Thursday night, increasing his chances of being a late inclusion for the hotly anticipated top-of-the-table match.
One of the Storm's 'big three' with Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, Cronk injured his ankle in the round 23 win over Gold Coast and would give the ladder leaders a major boost against their fierce rivals Manly. "He didn't travel with us, but that's not to say he won't be playing," assistant coach Kevin Walters told AAP on Thursday.
"We'll give him every chance to get himself right, so we'll just see what happens in the next couple of days." Considered little chance of returning this week when coach Craig Bellamy left him out of the side named on Tuesday, the Test and Queensland representative has worked hard on his recovery in a desperate bid to take on the Sea Eagles.
"He's been improving which is really good, and he's a real professional with his footy and looking after himself, so he's given himself every chance that's for sure," Walters added. "He hasn't spent a lot of time with the team this week so 50/50 is probably a good call of where he is at. "It is a big game, but we went in last week (an 8-6 win over St George Illawarra) without him as well and we got through OK." Cronk's likely inclusion shows Melbourne's desire to keep their club record 12-game winning streak going - but also how much they value victory over the Sea Eagles."
