Cronk less than 50% chance of facing the Storm: Seeney

Sydney Roosters star Cooper Cronk could potentially be risking career-ending damage to his shoulder if he plays against the Storm on Sunday night in the NRL grand final.

Cronk will be given the entire week to prove his fitness, after taking a number of hits to the shoulder, with the Roosters revealing he suffered a severe left rotator cuff injury.

The former Storm star struggled to run out the game after half-time, and had a limited effect on the game after the main break.

The injury is reminiscent of Jonathan Thurston's shoulder injury last year, after the Cowboys legend suffered the shoulder problem in Origin II, before going under the knife and missing Game Three.

Brisbane physiotherapist Brien Seeney, who runs the popular Twitter account @NRLphysio, spoke to the Courier Mail about the injury, and believes the halfback will be up against it to run out on Sunday.

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“When you see the word ‘severe’ it usually indicates a complete tear,” Seeney said.

“If it’s a complete tear, you’re risking further damage and the function of the shoulder won’t be anywhere near 100 per cent.

“Once you start hearing ‘severe’ and rotator cuff … it’s going to be a really tough week for him.

“You look at the risk of further injury, but his function is the biggest question and whether he can perform.

“You’re in a grand final against Melbourne who will not exactly let him shy away from it.

“He’d be less than a 50 per cent chance of playing.”

Scans reveal a “severe rotator cuff injury” for Cooper Cronk, surprising considering injury mechanism. Severe usually indicates a grade 3 injury (complete tear, same injury as JT last year), if so can see very little chance of Cronk playing. Would expect arm function to be v poor

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 23, 2018

Re: Cronk, rotator cuff is a group of muscles in the shoulder v important for shoulder stability/function (vid showing tear below). If tear significant there would be risk of injury to other shoulder structures (eg labrum) + likely requires surgery now/post GF (4-6mnth recovery) pic.twitter.com/KHHw2xmKj0

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 23, 2018

Seeney believes the chance of winning a premiership could see Cronk try his luck and line up for the Roosters on Sunday, although admitted surgery will be likely for the 34-year-old either way.

“We’ve seen throughout the whole finals series blokes are playing with injuries that they would normally take two or three weeks off for because it’s do or die,” Seeney said.

“I can guarantee if it was a regular season game, there’s no way he’d be playing.

“If it’s a severe rotator cuff injury there’s a very high chance he requires surgery.

“JT really wanted to play Origin III and they said ‘no, there’s too much risk for permanent damage’.

“He’d probably barely be able to move his shoulder. There would be lots of inflammation. The Roosters medical staff will be working overtime to try and settle that down and get some movement back.

“If by Thursday he has full range of movement and seems stable … then that will be a lot more indicative of whether he’s going to play.

“It will be pretty obvious by mid-week whether he is a chance or not.”