Cooper cronk

[Lethal25]

People keep confusing two very different issues.

Cronk is a half back

Marshall is a 5/8

Everyone goes back to Benji's stellar performances at Balmain so ask yourself what position did he play when he was at his best: Answer 5/8

So why would you not want the current Australian test half who is so good that they pick Thurston at 5/8 as against a top quality 5/8 playing totally out of position?

Get Cronk who other than Thurston is in the top 2 halves in the world and then have the argument as to whether Benji should play 5/8 or not.

If Benji at 5/8 is the best option then go that way but if he is not the best option at 5/8 why should that preclude you from buying Cronk?

Very well said...

 

[BrissyRedV]

People keep confusing two very different issues.

Cronk is a half back

Marshall is a 5/8

Everyone goes back to Benji's stellar performances at Balmain so ask yourself what position did he play when he was at his best: Answer 5/8

So why would you not want the current Australian test half who is so good that they pick Thurston at 5/8 as against a top quality 5/8 playing totally out of position?

Get Cronk who other than Thurston is in the top 2 halves in the world and then have the argument as to whether Benji should play 5/8 or not.

If Benji at 5/8 is the best option then go that way but if he is not the best option at 5/8 why should that preclude you from buying Cronk?

Why not all 3? Widdop to 1, Benji to 6, Cronk to 7. Problem solved.

 

[Old Timer]

Why not all 3? Widdop to 1, Benji to 6, Cronk to 7. Problem solved.

If that is what serves the side best then by all means do that however the question is along the lines of Benji or Cronk at half back so for me it is a no brainer CRONK every time in the No 7 jumper.

If there is reshuffle to be had by all means do that but not to chase Cronk would be criminal.

 

[BrissyRedV]

If that is what serves the side best then by all means do that however the question is along the lines of Benji or Cronk at half back so for me it is a no brainer CRONK every time in the No 7 jumper.

If there is reshuffle to be had by all means do that but not to chase Cronk would be criminal.

Yes, agree. Cronk is an excellent halfback and would provide an excellent partner to either Benji or Widdop. Cronk is also a consummate professional, so if he says he is good to go for a couple years, I believe him. If only we could get him for this season.

 

[BennyV]

I dont think Cronk is better than Benji....i think Cronk has had better players around him in his career though....which help make him look better.

BENJI > CRONK

Just imagine if Benji was a Queensland Origin player.

Lol seriously? I'm all for players loyalty and all that, but trying to claim Benji is better than Cronk at all, let alone as a 7, is laughable!

Firstly, Benji's skills rely heavily on his speed and while he is still effective, he isnt near as brillaint as he was in 2010-11. Cronk, if anything, improves with age. His kicking game is better. His organisation and control is better. His passing is better. His running is more direct. His vision is as good, if not better. His defence is better.

And as for the QLD team - Benji wouldnt be in it, because JT is playing 5/8. But looking at the brilliant players that aurround Cronk - all of them are on record saying that Cronk is the boss. When he wants the ball, he gets it. When Smith was out of the QLD team, Jake Friend fills in and they didnt miss a beat. When Slater is out, they lose nothing in playing GI at fullback (or Munster, in the case of Melbourne). But when Cronk is out of the QLD team, they go to shit, even when DCE is the one filling in! One could easily argue that those players are as good as they are due to playing alongside Cronk (except for JT).

As far as halfbacks go, he is the best, regardless of age.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Lol seriously? I'm all for players loyalty and all that, but trying to claim Benji is better than Cronk at all, let alone as a 7, is laughable!

Firstly, Benji's skills rely heavily on his speed and while he is still effective, he isnt near as brillaint as he was in 2010-11. Cronk, if anything, improves with age. His kicking game is better. His organisation and control is better. His passing is better. His running is more direct. His vision is as good, if not better. His defence is better.

And as for the QLD team - Benji wouldnt be in it, because JT is playing 5/8. But looking at the brilliant players that aurround Cronk - all of them are on record saying that Cronk is the boss. When he wants the ball, he gets it. When Smith was out of the QLD team, Jake Friend fills in and they didnt miss a beat. When Slater is out, they lose nothing in playing GI at fullback (or Munster, in the case of Melbourne). But when Cronk is out of the QLD team, they go to shit, even when DCE is the one filling in! One could easily argue that those players are as good as they are due to playing alongside Cronk (except for JT).

As far as halfbacks go, he is the best, regardless of age.

If one were to look at their careers thus far, it would make a compelling argument. Insofar as highlights, Benji by a very wide margin though insofar as consistency, Cronk with the possible exception of last season. The Dragons were embarrassing whenever Benji didn't play. Not as bad as NQ without Thurston or NZ without Johnson but not too far from it.

Melbourne without Cronk on the other hand were still very competitive. I guess Melbourne had other playmakers step up while the Dragons didn't.

Reminds me of the Hayne at Parra situation. It must have been so difficult for him to play in a one man team and remarkable he was able to do what he did in such a team. Benji had a 2 man team (with Farah) at Balmain though the same principle applies. Now insofar as attack, Benji is in the same situation at the Dragons. At least he was last season. Only he and Dugan consistently caused trouble for enemy defences.

Though I agree Cronk is a better halfback. Given his age, I'm not sure I would like to see him replace Benji or Widdop but if it were going to be one of the two, based on last season and career thus far, it's a no brainer who that would be.

 

[BlackDuckSaint]

Lol seriously? I'm all for players loyalty and all that, but trying to claim Benji is better than Cronk at all, let alone as a 7, is laughable!

Firstly, Benji's skills rely heavily on his speed and while he is still effective, he isnt near as brillaint as he was in 2010-11. Cronk, if anything, improves with age. His kicking game is better. His organisation and control is better. His passing is better. His running is more direct. His vision is as good, if not better. His defence is better.

And as for the QLD team - Benji wouldnt be in it, because JT is playing 5/8. But looking at the brilliant players that aurround Cronk - all of them are on record saying that Cronk is the boss. When he wants the ball, he gets it. When Smith was out of the QLD team, Jake Friend fills in and they didnt miss a beat. When Slater is out, they lose nothing in playing GI at fullback (or Munster, in the case of Melbourne). But when Cronk is out of the QLD team, they go to shit, even when DCE is the one filling in! One could easily argue that those players are as good as they are due to playing alongside Cronk (except for JT).

As far as halfbacks go, he is the best, regardless of age.

And you have hit the nail, very precisely, on the head. He is a pure half-back. He controls the tempo of the game better than anyone.

Also, if he was partnered with Widdop, we would have the most composed halves pairing in the comp. Ice-Men.

 

[Country Dragon]

If one were to look at their careers thus far, it would make a compelling argument. Insofar as highlights, Benji by a very wide margin though insofar as consistency, Cronk with the possible exception of last season. The Dragons were embarrassing whenever Benji didn't play. Not as bad as NQ without Thurston or NZ without Johnson but not too far from it.

Melbourne without Cronk on the other hand were still very competitive. I guess Melbourne had other playmakers step up while the Dragons didn't.

Reminds me of the Hayne at Parra situation. It must have been so difficult for him to play in a one man team and remarkable he was able to do what he did in such a team. Benji had a 2 man team (with Farah) at Balmain though the same principle applies. Now insofar as attack, Benji is in the same situation at the Dragons. At least he was last season. Only he and Dugan consistently caused trouble for enemy defences.

Though I agree Cronk is a better halfback. Given his age, I'm not sure I would like to see him replace Benji or Widdop but if it were going to be one of the two, based on last season and career thus far, it's a no brainer who that would be.

Bye bye Benji!!!

 

[SBD82]

Lol seriously? I'm all for players loyalty and all that, but trying to claim Benji is better than Cronk at all, let alone as a 7, is laughable!

Firstly, Benji's skills rely heavily on his speed and while he is still effective, he isnt near as brillaint as he was in 2010-11. Cronk, if anything, improves with age. His kicking game is better. His organisation and control is better. His passing is better. His running is more direct. His vision is as good, if not better. His defence is better.

And as for the QLD team - Benji wouldnt be in it, because JT is playing 5/8. But looking at the brilliant players that aurround Cronk - all of them are on record saying that Cronk is the boss. When he wants the ball, he gets it. When Smith was out of the QLD team, Jake Friend fills in and they didnt miss a beat. When Slater is out, they lose nothing in playing GI at fullback (or Munster, in the case of Melbourne). But when Cronk is out of the QLD team, they go to shit, even when DCE is the one filling in! One could easily argue that those players are as good as they are due to playing alongside Cronk (except for JT).

As far as halfbacks go, he is the best, regardless of age.

I couldn't agree more. Thankyou for putting this so perfectly and saving me the effort of typing my own diatribe.

 

[Vasilevsky]

And you have hit the nail, very precisely, on the head. He is a pure half-back. He controls the tempo of the game better than anyone.

Also, if he was partnered with Widdop, we would have the most composed halves pairing in the comp. Ice-Men.

Very composed indeed. They may even put on a few tries per-season. That would be just great.

 

[giboz71]

My opinion I am wrapped to have both Benji and Gareth. Sensational players. Why have an aging Cooper Cronk when you have Benji Marshall 2 years younger.

Benji is still elusive and has that X factor. Cooper is a quality player who has had some of the greatest in the modern game around him all his career. Definitely not under the same game focus by opposition teams as Benji.

Gareth is pure class.Can kick, break the line, tackle and hey run out 80 metre try's.

Let's try and keep both. Next season these guys will have Lafai, Dugan ,Matautia fai fai loa, happy days to throw to. Lastly, I work with a Roosters tragic who believes that Milne will be in 1 st grade before we know it.

Cronk would be a better halfback than Marshall no question. but I get what you're saying, having Widdop and Marshall as a halves combination should be producing better results. I was really excited when they were confirmed as a halves combination.

Their ineffectiveness last year IMO is a combination of tactics and weaknesses in fullback and hooker (in terms of playmaking). The Cowboys I believe have the best spine in the comp and this is because of the additions of an unheralded fullback and hooker in Coote and Granville. Neither were stars when they joined, but their value was their ability to free up Thurston and Morgan.

I'm hoping Mann will have this impact at FB and to a lesser extent Havili at hooker.

I'm tipping a big years for both Marshall and Widdop.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Bye bye Benji!!!

Hence, "no brainer". I considered one without a brain may reach the wrong conclusion.

 

[Old Timer]

I dont think Cronk is better than Benji....i think Cronk has had better players around him in his career though....which help make him look better.

BENJI > CRONK

Just imagine if Benji was a Queensland Origin player.

I note you said if Benji was a Qld player so taking the best possible option for him to look good.

What if he was a NSW player would he not be the difference to get us into a constant winning position?

If not then obviously he needs good cattle around him which is the inference you make about Cronk.

IMO if Cronk was the NSW half we would have won several more games in SOO if not at least a series because that is the difference he can make IMO he is a master craftsmen in the No 7 jumper and Benji out of his comfort zone in that position.

 

[Cagey Mac]

I'd have Cronk over Benji in a heartbeat
IMO Benji is 20% better 10% of of the time and 50% worse 30% of the time
Cronk will win you a game an rarely loose one
Benji can do some freakish things but they're 50% good and 50% embarassing

All that said Cronk is one of the few that I would trade Benji for.

 

[The Nick]

I dont think Cronk is better than Benji....i think Cronk has had better players around him in his career though....which help make him look better.

BENJI > CRONK

Just imagine if Benji was a Queensland Origin player.

LOL that will do me.

Here's a scenario: imagine Queensland WITHOUT Cronk. I've seen it. NSW actually won a series. That speaks volumes about the man's influence.

As OT pointed out Benji is a fantastic 5/8, but Cronk is a better halfback by a significant margin.

Straight Shooter

 

[The Nick]

I'd have Cronk over Benji in a heartbeat
IMO Benji is 20% better 10% of of the time and 50% worse 30% of the time
Cronk will win you a game an rarely loose one
Benji can do some freakish things but they're 50% good and 50% embarassing

All that said Cronk is one of the few that I would trade Benji for.

Hahaha the NRL needs to provide more of these stats so we can accurately assess players.

 

[Vasilevsky]

I'd have Cronk over Benji in a heartbeat
IMO Benji is 20% better 10% of of the time and 50% worse 30% of the time
Cronk will win you a game an rarely loose one
Benji can do some freakish things but they're 50% good and 50% embarassing

All that said Cronk is one of the few that I would trade Benji for.

I think as a halfback there is very little doubt Cronk is better than Benji. It's only a question of who should make way for Cronk if he were to come. Benji or Widdop?

Widdop and Cronk would be safe and Benji and Cronk possibly great. Either way, the club had better start looking for a long term halves solution ASAP because when Cronk (if he comes) or Benji can no longer cut it in first grade, the team is going fall off a cliff.

If Benji goes down with a long-term injury early next season, even though I'm not a gambler I will bet anyone the Dragons will be bottom 4. If Benji stays healthy, I'm highly confident of a top 4 finish.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I would rather keep a player who loves the club as Benji has stated many times than a guy moving here just to be with his girlfriend and set up retirement? Just saying who will put in more heart out of the 2? If it were not for Cronk's lovelife he would not have even considered moving from the Storm.

 

[Country Dragon]

I think as a halfback there is very little doubt Cronk is better than Benji. It's only a question of who should make way for Cronk if he were to come. Benji or Widdop?

Widdop and Cronk would be safe and Benji and Cronk possibly great. Either way, the club had better start looking for a long term halves solution ASAP because when Cronk (if he comes) or Benji can no longer cut it in first grade, the team is going fall off a cliff.

If Benji goes down with a long-term injury early next season, even though I'm not a gambler I will bet anyone the Dragons will be bottom 4. If Benji stays healthy, I'm highly confident of a top 4 finish.

You really have no idea what you're talking about, do you!

 

[Lethal25]

I'd have Cronk over Benji in a heartbeat
IMO Benji is 20% better 10% of of the time and 50% worse 30% of the time
Cronk will win you a game an rarely loose one
Benji can do some freakish things but they're 50% good and 50% embarassing

All that said Cronk is one of the few that I would trade Benji for.

Remember the 2010 semi final against the Tigers. Benji kicks out on the full and Saints go down field to kick the winning field goal.....

That was definitely part of his 50% being worse 30% of the time. When he does something good though it feels like it's 50% better for 1% of the time, or was that 1% better for 50%.......hang on a sec I need to find my calculator.