Cooper Cronk

Cooper Patrick Cronk(born 5 December 1983) is an Australian former professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. AnAustralianinternational andQueenslandState of Originrepresentativehalfback,he played most of his club career for theMelbourne Storm,though finished his career with theSydney Roosters,both in theNational Rugby League(NRL).

Cooper Cronk

Personal information
Full name	Cooper Patrick Cronk
Born	(1983-12-05)5 December 1983 Brisbane, Queensland,Australia
Playing information
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	89 kg (14 st 0 lb)
Position	Halfback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2004–17 Melbourne Storm 323 92 1 20 390 2018–19 Sydney Roosters 49 9 4 1 45 Total 372 101 5 21 435 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2007–17 Australia 38 16 0 0 64 2010–17 Queensland 22 3 0 2 14 2012 NRL All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source:

During his sixteen-year career, Cronk won four NRL Premierships (in 2012 and 2017 with Melbourne, and 2018 and 2019 with Sydney)from nineNRL Grand Finalappearances. He won theDally M Medalas the NRL's player of the year in 2013 and 2016, theClive Churchill Medalas best player in the2012 NRL Grand Final,theGolden Boot Awardas international player of the year in 2016, and the NRL's Dally M Halfback of the Year on five occasions.

Early life

Cooper Cronk was born inBrisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Cronk played his junior rugby league with the Souths Acacia Ridge club.

He attendedSt. Laurence's College,South Brisbanefrom 1994 to 2000, where he was in the school's 1st XVrugby unionside for a number of years.He was selected to play in the Australian Schoolboys squad along with former Wallaby captainRocky Elsom.

Playing career

In 2001, Cronk was selected to playrugby leaguefor Queensland andAustralian Schoolboysteams. He was then selected to play in theQueensland Cup'sNorths Devilsteam. He quickly established himself in that competition and trained with the Storm Squad in 2003. He scored 37 tries for the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup.

2000s

Cronk made his debut for theMelbourne Stormin 2004, starting as a utility back coming off the bench and playing atfive-eighth,hookerandlock.

In the2006 NRL season,Cronk won theDally MHalfback of the Yearaward. He also played at half-back for Melbourne in the2006 NRL Grand Finalloss to Brisbane.

In 2008, Cronk was called into the Australian test team to replace Jonathan Thurston who had twisted his ankle in training. Thurston later was cleared of injury and played in the test team over Cronk. In August, 2008, Cronk was named in thepreliminary 46-man Kangaroos squadfor the2008 Rugby League World Cup,however he was not selected to make an appearance. WhenCameron Smithwas sidelined by aNRL Judiciarysuspension during Melbourne's finals campaign of the2008 NRL season,Cronk stood in as captain and captained the Storm in the2008 NRL Grand Finaldefeat byManly Sea Eagles.

In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25-man squad to representQueenslandin the openingState of Originmatch for 2009,however he was not selected to make an appearance. He played in the2009 NRL Grand Finalagainst theParramatta Eels,setting up 2 tries. This title was later stripped due to salary cap breaches. Cronk was named as part of theFour Nationsteam and played for Australia in2009 Four NationsTournament in Australia againstFranceas a utility.

2010s

2010–13

Surgery on his groin saw Cronk miss Melbourne's appearance in the2010 World Club Challenge.An injury toJohnathan Thurstonsaw Cronk selected for the2010 ANZAC Test.Cronk played off the bench as a utility forQueenslandin the2010 State of Origin Series,playing in all three games. In Game II, he scored his first Origin try.

Cronk playing for Melbourne in 2010

He also played forAustraliain the2010 Four Nations.

Cronk played in the2011 State of Origin Series.In Game I, he set up a try forJharal Yow Yehin the second half and in Game III, he set upGreg Inglisas well. In 2011, Cronk also played the tests againstNew Zealandat the Gold Coast and Newcastle on the bench. Cronk was part of the2011 Rugby League Four Nationstournament, playing off the bench when theKangaroosplayed theKiwisand England. Cooper Cronk has been selected to play Five-Eighth against Wales, withJohnathan Thurstonat halfback, restingDarren Lockyerfor the Four Nations Final. In the2011 Rugby League Four Nationsbetween Australia and Wales, Cronk scored 3 tries and set-up 2 tries for Australia. He also played in the Four Nations Grand Final against England.

As of 29 March 2012 Cooper agreed to a further four years with the Melbourne Storm. At the2012 Dally M AwardsCronk was named the NRL's halfback of the year.In the2012 NRL Grand Finalvictory overCanterbury-Bankstown,he won theClive Churchill Medalfor the man of the match award.

Cronk kicked the game and series-winning field goal in the final minutes of the third State of Origin match in 2012. He later said, "To be brutally honest I was in a state of grace at that particular moment. Every sinew in my body came together in one perfect whole. But those who have ever experienced that feeling, and it doesn't happen very often, will tell you it's in a whole other place of experience from the usual ego or vanity that drives my game. So I'm not afraid to own it for what it was."

In February 2013, he won man of the match in Storm's 18–14 win over Leeds in the world club challenge. Cronk was also selected as starting halfback for the annual ANZAC Test match between Australia andNew ZealandinCanberra,playing at halfback for Australia. He also played a key role in Queensland's eighth consecutive series win with a 12–10 win overNew South Walesin the decider, setting up the match winner try to Justin Hodges.

On 1 October 2013, Cronk was named the Dally M Player winning by two points in front ofQueenslandteammatesJohnathan ThurstonandDaly Cherry-EvansandCronulla Sharksfive-eightTodd Carney.He was also named the Dally M Halfback of the Year.

2014–16

Cronk broke his arm in the opening minutes of Game I of the2014 State of Origin serieson 28 May 2014. Written off for the series, he surprised the entire rugby league community by getting himself fit enough to take the field in Game III just six weeks later. Queensland lost the series after losing Games I and II, but in Game III on 9 July 2014 the Maroons routed New South Wales 32–8.

On 30 August 2014, Cronk played his 250th game for Melbourne Storm, a feat achieved by only 3 others players at the club.

Cronk at the2016 TV Week Logie Awards,May 2016

2016 began with rumours linking him to rivalNRLclubs in Sydney, most notably theSt George Illawarra Dragons.However, he put that in the back of his head to lead Melbourne to a great start to the season. On 2 April, he scored 2 tries to secure an 18–14 victory over theNewcastle Knights.15 days later, he kicked a field goal in the 5th minute ofgolden pointto give the Storm a 19–18 victory over theWests Tigers.The Storm won 5 of their opening 7 games.

On 26 June 2016, Cronk became only the fifth NRL player in history to record 200 wins (from 289 games) in a 29 to 20 win over the West Tigers.

On 24 September 2016, in Melbourne's grand final qualifier against the Canberra Raiders, Cronk became just the 25th NRL player to notch up 300 first grade games. In doing so, he is only the 11th player to do so with the one club.

At the annual Rugby League Dally M awards on 28 September 2016, Cooper Cronk was named theDally MPlayer of the Year for a second time after winning his first in 2013. Cronk tied withNorth Queensland CowboyspropJason Taumaloloto win. Cronk was also crowned Dally M Halfback of the Year earning the honours for the fifth time in his careers.

Cronk warming up for the Kangaroos atAnfieldin 2016

This was further complemented on 22 December 2016, when Cooper Cronk won the 2016Rugby League World Golden Boot Award(Worlds best player). The award is decided by a panel of Rugby League experts includingDarren Lockyer.

2017

On 4 April 2017, Cronk made the announcement that the2017 NRL seasonwould be his last for theMelbourne Storm,stating he would move to Sydney; Cronk emphasised that this was purely based on family reasons rather than football-related reasons. His then-fiancéeTara Rushton,aFox sportspresenter based in Sydney, was the main driver behind his decision. On 30 October 2017 it was announced that he would join theSydney Roostersfor two seasons.Cronk and Rushton married on 14 December 2017.

2018

In 2018 Cooper Cronk joined the Sydney Roosters. Where he played all 26 games, including playing with a broken scapula in the grand final victory over his former club the Melbourne Storm. He then became the first player to win consecutive premierships with two different clubs in the NRL era, having won the 2017 Grand Final with Melbourne and 2018 Grand Final with the Roosters starting at halfback in both games. Cooper also became the first player in the modern era to have three consecutive grand final appearances.

2019

On 28 September 2019, Cronk led theSydney Roostersto a 14–6 win over his former clubMelbourne Stormin the preliminary final. After the game, Cronk was full of praise for his former coachCraig Bellamyand theStorm."It’s hard because I don’t stand here today without the people at theMelbourne Storm,”Cronk said after the game. "Craig’s forefront of that, he’s a guy I’ve played a lot of football for." It’s really emotional sometimes coming up against your old team but in this game, you really have to put it to the side because there’s always a chance of next week and you really have to ride the rollercoaster sometimes ".

Winning consecutive premierships is a feat that has not been previously achieved in 26 years and Cronk had the opportunity to create history to become the first player in the modern era to win three consecutive grand final appearances and to have four consecutive grand final appearances.

On 6 October 2019, Cooper Cronk played his final game ofRugby Leaguein theNRLfor theSydney Roostersin the2019 NRL Grand Final.Prior to his last match, the only thing he had not managed to achieve is back-to-back titles with the same club. He did that, and set the record for three consecutive grand finals in the modern era, furthermore Cronk was the first player in the NRL era to have won three consecutive premierships, additionally is one of thirteen players who have won consecutive Premierships. Cronk was revered by theRugby Leaguecommunity for his achievements within the game, to win fourNRL Grand Finalsfrom nine games.

During the press conference,coachTrent Robinsonlabelled the retiree the "greatest thinker to ever play rugby league". "It’s hard to explain how great Cooper is",Robinsonsaid. "I'm a better coach because Cooper is here. We are a better club and a better team because Cooper is here. We asked him to come and do a job and he said, 'I'm going to come, I'm going to get it done.'" I think he is the greatest thinker to ever play rugby league. To walk onto the field and do what he's done in our game – the guy is skilful but my left-to-right (pass) is better than Cooper's.

In Cronk's final interview,he laughed 'he had enough'.

Post playing

Cronk playing for the Roosters in 2019

AFL coaching

On 7 November 2019, Cronk was recruited intoAFLclubGWS Giantsas a 'leadership consultant'.The move was initiated byJimmy Barteland was officially confirmed by their coach,Leon Cameron.Cronk was set to begin his consultancy 2019 in preparation for the Giants'2020 AFL season.

Rugby league coaching

Cronk has been employed as a part-time coaching consultant at both theSydney RoostersandMelbourne Storm,with his role seeing him mentor players at both clubs.

Media career

Following his retirement from playing in 2019, Cronk has been part of the commentary team onFox League,where he is seen as part of the broadcaster's on-air panels and analysis.

Hall of Fame

In August 2024, theNational Rugby Leagueannounced that Cronk was an inductee into theNational Rugby League Hall of Fame.Cronk, who was ascribed Hall of Fame number 124, was amongst eleven male players in the 2024 Class.

Personal life

Cronk married television sports presenterTara Rushtonin December 2017.They have two children, Lennox and Harley.

Honours

Individual

• Dally MPlayer of the Year: 2013, 2016
• Dally MHalfback of the Year: 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
• Clive Churchill Medal:2012
• Rugby League World Golden Boot Award:2016
• National Rugby League Hall of Fameinductee: #124 2024

Melbourne Storm

• 2006 NRL Grand FinalRunner-up
• 2007 NRL Grand Final(Premiership stripped)
• 2008 NRL Grand FinalRunner-up
• 2008 World Club ChallengeRunner-up
• 2009 NRL Grand Final(Premiership stripped)
• 2011 NRL Minor Premiers
• 2012 NRL Grand FinalWinners
• 2013 World Club ChallengeWinners
• 2016 NRL Minor Premiers
• 2016 NRL Grand FinalRunner-up
• 2017 NRL Minor Premiers
• 2017 NRL Grand FinalWinners

Sydney Roosters

• 2018 NRL Minor Premiership Winners
• 2018 NRL Grand FinalWinners
• 2019 World Club Challenge Winners
• 2019 NRL Grand FinalWinners
• Sydney Roosters Life Member

Queensland

• State of OriginSeries Wins: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017

Australia

• Rugby League World Cup:2013, 2017
• Rugby League Four Nations:2011, 2016

Career Highlights and Awards

• 6× NRL Premiership Winner
• 1× Clive Churchill Medallist
• 2× Dally M Medallist
• 5× Dally M Halfback of the Year
• 1× Rugby League World Golden Boot Award Winner
• 2× World Club Challenge Winner
• 7× State of Origin Winner
• 2× Rugby League Four Nations Winner
• 2× Rugby League World Cup Champion

External links

• Cooper CronkatIMDb
• Sydney Roosters profile
• 2017 RLWC profile