Dragons half Shannon Crook biding his time
By SIMON BRUNSDON
Jan. 14, 2015, 7:28 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Up and coming St George Illawarra playmaker Shannon Crook is under no illusions he will get picked in the starting 17 ahead of international halves partners Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop.
Between them, Marshall and Widdop have racked up 310 NRL games, 37 Test matches, eight World Cup appearances, two premierships, and one Golden Boot.
Crook, 20, is still waiting for his debut at the top level.
He has been promoted from the club's National Youth Competition list to the Dragons' senior squad and is in the midst of his first pre-season with the big boys.
His next goal is simple - to play an NRL game.
Crook knows it may take an injury or illness to one of the club's current "linchpins" to get him there, and he is happy to take a back seat for now.
"I've got two class players in front of me, but being a young half only 20 years old, I've got two great players to learn from and I've got my whole career ahead of me," Crook said.
"Having Benji and Gareth to learn off I couldn't ask for any better.
"Obviously I want to play first grade but you've just got to bide your time and when that day comes hopefully I've done enough and I'll be ready."
Crook was an integral part of the Dragons' under 20 campaign last year and led the team deep into NYC finals.
Making the transition from leader of a squad to one of the "rookies" has been made easier with the help of one of rugby league's most recognisable characters - Marshall.
The former New Zealand Test captain has taken the young halfback under his wing and Crook admits he still gets starstruck from time to time.
"Benji's been awesome," Crook said.
"To learn off such a great player it's been great for me.
"Coming up as a young half I couldn't ask for anyone better to learn from.
"Benji every now and then takes me aside and helps me with the little things that can improve my game.
"It's awesome, big privilege to finally be up training with first grade."
Before worrying too much about making his NRL debut, Crook is hoping to grab a ticket to Auckland at the end of this month for the Nines tournament.
Paul McGregor is yet to inform the players exactly which of them will be crossing the Tasman to play, but Crook knows a game at the Nines could be his best chance to impress his new coach.
"It will be a great opportunity to go over and play against some class players. But being young, I just want to show what I've got, and I couldn't ask for a better place to do that than over in Auckland."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...rook-profits-from-master-duos-tuition/?cs=302
By SIMON BRUNSDON
Jan. 14, 2015, 7:28 p.m.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Up and coming St George Illawarra playmaker Shannon Crook is under no illusions he will get picked in the starting 17 ahead of international halves partners Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop.
Between them, Marshall and Widdop have racked up 310 NRL games, 37 Test matches, eight World Cup appearances, two premierships, and one Golden Boot.
Crook, 20, is still waiting for his debut at the top level.
He has been promoted from the club's National Youth Competition list to the Dragons' senior squad and is in the midst of his first pre-season with the big boys.
His next goal is simple - to play an NRL game.
Crook knows it may take an injury or illness to one of the club's current "linchpins" to get him there, and he is happy to take a back seat for now.
"I've got two class players in front of me, but being a young half only 20 years old, I've got two great players to learn from and I've got my whole career ahead of me," Crook said.
"Having Benji and Gareth to learn off I couldn't ask for any better.
"Obviously I want to play first grade but you've just got to bide your time and when that day comes hopefully I've done enough and I'll be ready."
Crook was an integral part of the Dragons' under 20 campaign last year and led the team deep into NYC finals.
Making the transition from leader of a squad to one of the "rookies" has been made easier with the help of one of rugby league's most recognisable characters - Marshall.
The former New Zealand Test captain has taken the young halfback under his wing and Crook admits he still gets starstruck from time to time.
"Benji's been awesome," Crook said.
"To learn off such a great player it's been great for me.
"Coming up as a young half I couldn't ask for anyone better to learn from.
"Benji every now and then takes me aside and helps me with the little things that can improve my game.
"It's awesome, big privilege to finally be up training with first grade."
Before worrying too much about making his NRL debut, Crook is hoping to grab a ticket to Auckland at the end of this month for the Nines tournament.
Paul McGregor is yet to inform the players exactly which of them will be crossing the Tasman to play, but Crook knows a game at the Nines could be his best chance to impress his new coach.
"It will be a great opportunity to go over and play against some class players. But being young, I just want to show what I've got, and I couldn't ask for a better place to do that than over in Auckland."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...rook-profits-from-master-duos-tuition/?cs=302
