In brief, Cooper Cronk played with 2 power and big $$$ clubs Storm and final 2 years with the roosters. Also, it’s wonderful to be surrounded by top quality and elite players both forwards and backs. 4 premierships involved. By reports had StGeorge landed Craig Bellamy as coach, Cronk was coming. Didn’t happen and Cronk stayed with Storm.
By comparison Michell Pearce played with one power club and won a premiership with roosters and then Cronk took over in 2018. So good a team in 2018 he played the winning grand final carrying a broken shoulder and apparently never had to make a tackle. Centre Manu stood with him the whole game.
Pearce went to struggling Newcastle. Roster nowhere as good as roosters.
point is yes; Cronk was a fabulous player but stayed close to power clubs where forwards were beaten and backs could attack and sprint fast. Mitchell not quite as polished but top class also.