Cooper cronk

[BennyV]

He is for sure one talented homie:crazy: GC also has Taylor, that very highly regarded half from the Broncos U20s. Seems neither of them is suited to 5/8. Could trade Mann and a depth forward for one of them. I know some people will flip out over this but I'm going to state it anyway. If I were Mary I would trade Widdop for one of them, move Benji to 5/8 and save some money to upgrade JDB, Frizzell or someone else deserving.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but in the GC vs Dragons game late last season Benji was out, Widdop terrible and Elgey brilliant.

Taylor is very highly rated, played alongside Hutchison in the Junir Kangaroos side this year. However, untried in first grade and definitely not worth losing Widdop over. He may not even get a crack in first grade with Titans having Tyrone Roberts and Elgey on the books. BUt having him around might mean Elgey will be easier to court!

And as mentioned already, you are wrong about both Benji being out and Widdop being terrible (although the latter is your general opinion on our team!). Elgey was good, wouldn't go so far as to say brilliant. IMO Sezer was the better half for Titans last year, with him gone it will be a big test for Elgey.

 

[Cagey Mac]

Widdop has had an excellent season in 2015 close to our best 70% of the time. Did have a few ordinary games IMO.

On so many occasions he stepped up
I reckon that he's also the best natural fullback in contention for FG and would love to see him trialed there with Mann in the halves.

 

[hardbaby]

I see. According to a lot of homies Widdop was our best in every game. They are either deluding themselves or are watching different games to me and unbiased judges.

You have the worst footy brain in history.

 

[The Nick]

You serious? He only ever talks down Widdop any chance he gets..its obvious and deliberate shit stirring.


T.

Yeah I get it, he strongly prefers Marshall over Widdop. That's his opinion and he's entitled to it. I don't agree but am well aware of his position and his reasoning for it, that's why I don't need to engage him on it. If he really is a troll then the same people who keep taking the bait must be kinda stupid.

Yes typical Telecrap, at 32 he is too old, Benji is younger at 30 and the money offered I would throw at the tigers number 7 for four years

I've asked the question a million times but NEVER EVER get an answer. How in the hell is he "too old"? Did he all of a sudden turn to shit on his 30th birthday?

How is someone's DOB the single deciding factor when determining someone's worth? Absolutely bizarre and seemingly baseless logic.

 

[The Nick]

You have the worst footy brain in history.

I disagree. He has demonstrated some knowledge of the game on multiple occasions. That automatically puts him higher than OV and the idiots who say a player shouldn't be signed because they're approaching or in their 30's.

 

[BennyV]

Yeah I get it, he strongly prefers Marshall over Widdop. That's his opinion and he's entitled to it. I don't agree but am well aware of his position and his reasoning for it, that's why I don't need to engage him on it. If he really is a troll then the same people who keep taking the bait must be kinda stupid.



I've asked the question a million times but NEVER EVER get an answer. How in the hell is he "too old"? Did he all of a sudden turn to shit on his 30th birthday?

How is someone's DOB the single deciding factor when determining someone's worth? Absolutely bizarre and seemingly baseless logic.

I think this applies three-fold for someone like Cronk. The guy is THE ultimate professional, looks after himself and works harder (by all accounts) than most footy players. If anything, he has gotten better with every year he has played.

 

[The Nick]

I think this applies three-fold for someone like Cronk. The guy is THE ultimate professional, looks after himself and works harder (by all accounts) than most footy players. If anything, he has gotten better with every year he has played.

Agreed. The man broke his arm in Game I of SOO 2014 and was back by Game III! Seems to be minimal risk signing him to a 3 year contract.

All that being said, it seems highly unlikely the games ultimate professional will quit his only club at the back end of his career to chase a girl.

Good off season talk but I won't be putting my money on it happening.

 

[Old Timer]

If the situation re Cronk eventuates the position is a no brainer we must snap him up.

We haven't had a test quality No 7 for decades and our whole backline would improve significantly and quickly with his guidance around the field.

The young half backs we have coming through the ranks are never going to learn properly off make shift half backs so finally we would have a high quality tutor providing excellent value across all grades.

If we look after him well he would make a formidable addition to our "attack" coaching staff at the end of his career.

So very significant short and mid term gains to be had.

 

[The Nick]

If the situation re Cronk eventuates the position is a no brainer we must snap him up.

We haven't had a test quality No 7 for decades and our whole backline would improve significantly and quickly with his guidance around the field.

The young half backs we have coming through the ranks are never going to learn properly off make shift half backs so finally we would have a high quality tutor providing excellent value across all grades.

If we look after him well he would make a formidable addition to our "attack" coaching staff at the end of his career.

So very significant short and mid term gains to be had.

Well said, OT.

 

[Slippery Morris]

If Widdop was so good why did Benji finish much higher in the Daly M points tally?

I find it hard to believe that Benji has told the club he will retire at the end of 2016? What happened in the few weeks after he publicly stated that he could play another 3 years and was fighting for a Dragons contract? If Saints pursue Cronk only to lose out to the Dogs/Rabbits or Roosters who just need to click their fingers and get the players they want then if I were Benji I would be pi$$ed off big time. Benji should be a higher priority than Cronk.They should throw the 3.5mil to Brooks and try and get a Benji/Brooks halves combo.

 

[giboz71]

I've asked the question a million times but NEVER EVER get an answer. How in the hell is he "too old"? Did he all of a sudden turn to shit on his 30th birthday?

How is someone's DOB the single deciding factor when determining someone's worth? Absolutely bizarre and seemingly baseless logic.

Sure if his performance on the field remains the same as it always has, then agree age doesn't matter. And Cronk, like JT is one of those rare players where age doesn't seem to slow them down.

But you can't say that age is not a factor when it comes to signing players. If it was, why do so many players finish their career playing Super League? How many active players over the age of 35 are still playing NRL?

Cronk is a freak and one of those once in a generation players you would sign regardless of age. But this would be a rare exception rather than the norm.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Mate u had no idea...

I did say "someone will correct me if I'm wrong" signifying, I wasn't certain.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Taylor is very highly rated, played alongside Hutchison in the Junir Kangaroos side this year. However, untried in first grade and definitely not worth losing Widdop over. He may not even get a crack in first grade with Titans having Tyrone Roberts and Elgey on the books. BUt having him around might mean Elgey will be easier to court!

And as mentioned already, you are wrong about both Benji being out and Widdop being terrible (although the latter is your general opinion on our team!). Elgey was good, wouldn't go so far as to say brilliant. IMO Sezer was the better half for Titans last year, with him gone it will be a big test for Elgey.

Widdop is not terrible. Never said he was. Overrated and being supercoach Price's marquee signing, almost certainly massively overpaid but not terrible.

 

[Vasilevsky]

You have the worst footy brain in history.

Well all unbiased judges didn't have Widdop anywhere near one of the Dragons best last season. The season before when the team hit rock bottom he was probably the best but IMO, he was part of the problem. He is not a good playmaker. More in the Trent Barrett mold but with a better short kicking game. This could also be clearly seen in the games where Marshall was out last season.

 

[Vasilevsky]

If Widdop was so good why did Benji finish much higher in the Daly M points tally?

I find it hard to believe that Benji has told the club he will retire at the end of 2016? What happened in the few weeks after he publicly stated that he could play another 3 years and was fighting for a Dragons contract? If Saints pursue Cronk only to lose out to the Dogs/Rabbits or Roosters who just need to click their fingers and get the players they want then if I were Benji I would be pi$$ed off big time. Benji should be a higher priority than Cronk.They should throw the 3.5mil to Brooks and try and get a Benji/Brooks halves combo.

I agree 100% but I would go for a Benji/Elgey halves pairing. From what I have seen, admittedly not that much, Brooks is massively overrated.

 

[BennyV]

I agree 100% but I would go for a Benji/Elgey halves pairing. From what I have seen, admittedly not that much, Brooks is massively overrated.

Elgey does look a bit better than Brooks, but keep in mind Brooks has come into first grade with monstrous expectations after being repeatedly labelled the next Andrew Johns, with no leadership as coach and captain were fighting it out and placed next to another overrated (though more ploddish) 5/8 (Elgey had the luxury of the very composed and skillful Aiden Sezer alongside him).

Not saying Brooks is overrated but I think he can be better than what he is currently showing at Tigpies.

In saying that...using $3.5m for Brooks is laughable, as is saying that he, Benji, Widdop or anyone would be better for the team than Cronk!

 

[The Nick]

If Widdop was so good why did Benji finish much higher in the Daly M points tally?

I find it hard to believe that Benji has told the club he will retire at the end of 2016?

Really, we're going to use the Dally M scoreboard to determine who is better than who?

How about this for connecting dots - the Dally M's are owned by News Corp and broadcast on News Corp's FOX Sports. Benji Marshall has a TPA with Fox Sports (so he's essentially an employee of News Corp.), Widdop does not. Who do you think News Corp. would like to see sit higher on the Dally M ladder?

Dally M's have zero credibility until they are solely owned and controlled by the NRL.

But I agree with your last point. Benji is on the record saying he wants to play for another 2-3 seasons, preferably at the Dragons.

TBH I think there is zero merit to this story, hence why no other media outlets or social media identities are running with it.

I think it's far more likely that Buzz Rothfield and co. returned to work after a boozy xmas break, needed a story, noticed Cronk's girlfriend happens to work next door with Fox Sports and decided to run with it.

Sure if his performance on the field remains the same as it always has, then agree age doesn't matter. And Cronk, like JT is one of those rare players where age doesn't seem to slow them down.

But you can't say that age is not a factor when it comes to signing players. If it was, why do so many players finish their career playing Super League? How many active players over the age of 35 are still playing NRL?

Cronk is a freak and one of those once in a generation players you would sign regardless of age. But this would be a rare exception rather than the norm.

I agree with you. And yet St Georgio was happy to dismiss everything you've pointed out and say no to Cronk purely on the basis of age. That is what infuriates me.

Age is one of the last factors that should be considered, if at all.

 

[Lethal25]

I agree 100% but I would go for a Benji/Elgey halves pairing. From what I have seen, admittedly not that much, Brooks is massively overrated.

Does anyone know how Elgey goes in defence?

Would hate to think you'd need minders for the halves on both sides of the field

 

[giboz71]

Elgey does look a bit better than Brooks, but keep in mind Brooks has come into first grade with monstrous expectations after being repeatedly labelled the next Andrew Johns, with no leadership as coach and captain were fighting it out and placed next to another overrated (though more ploddish) 5/8 (Elgey had the luxury of the very composed and skillful Aiden Sezer alongside him).

Not saying Brooks is overrated but I think he can be better than what he is currently showing at Tigpies.

In saying that...using $3.5m for Brooks is laughable, as is saying that he, Benji, Widdop or anyone would be better for the team than Cronk!

Brooks is in the unfortunate situation of being part of a basket case club like the Tigers. Clearly, there is very little mentoring and coaching going on and of course it doesn't help that the Tigers don't win much.

Young halves have to be given just the right mix of exposure to FG given their readiness. DCE at Manly and Hastings at the Roosters are the 2 best examples I can think of.

I'd hazard a guess this was the one of the main reasons Hastings chose to go the Roosters even though he had the incumbent Origin halves in front of him.

Guess the thought of being coached by Steve Price didn't really appeal.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Really, we're going to use the Dally M scoreboard to determine who is better than who?

How about this for connecting dots - the Dally M's are owned by News Corp and broadcast on News Corp's FOX Sports. Benji Marshall has a TPA with Fox Sports (so he's essentially an employee of News Corp.), Widdop does not. Who do you think News Corp. would like to see sit higher on the Dally M ladder?

Dally M's have zero credibility until they are solely owned and controlled by the NRL.

But I agree with your last point. Benji is on the record saying he wants to play for another 2-3 seasons, preferably at the Dragons.

TBH I think there is zero merit to this story, hence why no other media outlets or social media identities are running with it.

I think it's far more likely that Buzz Rothfield and co. returned to work after a boozy xmas break, needed a story, noticed Cronk's girlfriend happens to work next door with Fox Sports and decided to run with it.

Look no further than how Widdop and the team played without Benjii last season. I know I lost patience with him after the second game vs the Shonkies. It's my opinion that Benji is far better but I just find it astonishing how Widdop can seemingly do no wrong. "THAT" kick and that game are perfect examples. Widdop was good while Benji was great until the grubs took him out yet that game has been used time and again to demonstrate how good Widdop is.

The 2 best backs by some margin last season, Benji and Dugan, get denounced if they have a hair out of place.

Regardless, if the Dragons were to pick up Cronk, Elgey, Brooks or Taylor, I think the club should and will let Widdop go to accommodate them. Unlike a lot of homies on this forum, Mary obviously has a high opinion of Benji as he asked him to be captain at some stage last season.

We will soon see. Halfway or so into next season, we should start hearing about Widdop being offered a contract extension or not. Or at least, a contract extension with a hefty pay-cut or not. The club is already on record about offering Benji a one year extension, isn't it? Curious that will make him and Widdop off contract at the same time. If I were a gambler I would bet the club is preparing to get rid of one of them and is using next season to see who it should be.