Cronk thanks mentor and mate
By David Riccio | October 10, 2009 11:01pm
OF the hundreds of text messages Cooper Cronk received last week, there are two he will never delete from his mobile phone. The first arrived moments after the Melbourne Storm halfback won his second premiership ring last Sunday.
The second came early on Wednesday, just minutes after he was named in Australia's 24-man Four-Nations squad.
Both were from exiled rugby league star Matthew Johns.
"He was probably the first person to do it after the game and was probably the first person to do it when the Aussie team was announced,'' Cronk said. "It was special coming from him.''
Standing proudly in his Kangaroos training gear last Thursday, Cronk reflected on his remarkable season.
"I'm so pleased to achieve what the Melbourne team has done, but also to be part of representing your country is also a great honour in itself,'' Cronk said.
"Grand finals are a big week and there are a lot of things on. You don't go into grand finals worrying about Test selection.''
But the Storm star was just as quick to acknowledge how he got to this point of his career and the role Johns has played.
Premiership rings, four grand finals and now national selection - Johns has been behind Cronk the entire way.
"Matty's taught me a hell of a lot and I definitely wouldn't have done what I've done without him and his influence on me,'' Cronk said. "I owe it to him.''
It was as a 22-year-old that Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy first took a punt on the former Queensland rugby union schoolboys star.
Cronk had been playing in the Queensland Cup with Brisbane Easts when Bellamy asked Johns to chauffeur the cheeky No7 from Sydney Airport to an oval in Collaroy, lay out some witches hats and put him through his paces.
"It was a sink-or-swim scenario when I got given the chance,'' Cronk remembers.
Cronk had flown in from Brisbane as Matt Orford's replacement and Johns - as then Melbourne assistant coach - was his minder, mentor and soon to be close mate. It's a friendship that has remained strong.
"Craig had been a big part of him coming on board at Melbourne and we've struck up a good relationship ever since,'' Cronk said. "We're good mates now ... and we talk a bit of footy as well."
"I was given an opportunity at the time, so it was either going to work out, or it wasn't."
"But he (Johns) got behind me. He not only knows about rugby league and helped me out in terms of tactics, but he's just a good fellow to have a chat with and give you food for thought."
"He's got a great footy mind, he's definitely been a big help for me personally. He's a good man.''
Bellamy suggested Cronk's comments reflect the overwhelming sentiments of the Melbourne Storm players.
"That's typical of the respect the players have for Matty,'' Bellamy said. "Cooper's comments don't surprise me greatly. That's the impact Matty has had on all the boys.''
