Cooper Cronk confirmed that he will play on in 2018, ending suggestions that he'll hang up the boots after the world cup.
The Sydney Roosters are red-hot favourites to secure his services for two seasons. Other contenders for his lucrative signature include Cronulla, Penrith, South, and Eels. However, it seems as though Roosters will table an offer that is too good to refuse.
Cronk's manager announced that the halfback will explore his options in Sydney, and believes that he still has a couple of years left in him.
The burning question regarding the possible arrival of Cronk at Bondi, is where the experienced No.7 would fit in. The Roosters already possess a great halvesย combination in Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary. It seems inevitable that one of the two will be shown the door. However, new reports suggest that the casualty of Cronk's arrival will be their captain Jake Friend. The hooker role is said to be fought out by Pearce and Keary if Cronk were to link up with the club.
BREAKING: Cronk to play on - Roosters in box seat. Jake Friend looms as the unlucky man to be moved on to accommodate Cronk.
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) October 20, 2017
Rugby League legend Peter Sterling believes that although Cronk's signing will be valuable, it could cause long-term positional problems at the club.
โI donโt know how theyโre going to fit everybody in," the former Parramatta great said onย Triple M's Deadset Legends.
"If Cooper Cronk comes, I canโt see how they would be showing Mitchell Pearce the door.
โI donโt see how they could be changing positions for him. I donโt know what theyโd be thinking of doing in terms of shuffling the chairs.
โIโve still got (Friend) second behind Cameron Smith when it comes to Origin representation - Iโm surprised heโs not in the World Cup squad.
โWhat we saw this year, heโs (Keary) a regular starting first-grade player.
โI think it would be very harsh for Luke Keary. If I was put into that position and I was Luke -ย after the kind of season Iโve had, to actually be pushed back to a number 14-17 -ย I wouldnโt cop it particularly well.โ
Sydney Roosters already boast a premiership-contending backline, with the recruitment of James Tedesco. The addition of Cronk, will rectify the backline to reach their utmost potential. To express how talented the club's backline is, veteran Michael Gordon could possibly be forced out of the squadย to play in the Intrust Super Cup.
The race for Cronk will begin, and a number of Sydney clubs will fork out every cent remaining in their salary cap, to land Cronk at their club.
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