Cooper Cronk Resigns Storm

NRL and Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk committed his immediate future to the club that gave him his chance in the number seven jersey, signing a four year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2013 season.

 

Storm Football Operations Manager Frank Ponissi, who brokered the deal with Cronk and his agent, says the deal has been a long time in the making.

 

“The first time we spoke with Cooper’s management about extending his deal with the club was several months ago and we’ve finally managed to sign off on the contract today,” said Ponissi.

 

“Given Cooper’s affection for the club and his teammates, we were always confident he would stay, but there’s always a process to go through.

 

“These negotiations take time, but now that it’s done we’re just delighted Cooper’s decided to stay with us. He’s an integral part of our future, he’s a tremendous leader and he’s one of the best halfbacks in the competition.”

 

A proud Queenslander, the lure of returning home is always strong, but Cronk says his decision to stay was an easy one.

 

“I never even considered leaving the Storm,” said Cronk.

 

“I enjoy playing for the club and I want to play for this group of coaches and players. The thought never really entered my mind to play for another club either here in Australia or overseas.

 

“I’ve bought a house here in Melbourne, I’ve made some really close friends and I enjoy the lifestyle. There really was no need for me to look anywhere else.”

 

Cronk, who played predominantly rugby union through his junior career, was a schoolboy star with St Lawrence's High School in Brisbane. The securing of Cronk is sure to see the NRL Results of the Storm continue.

 

He was selected for the Australian schoolboys rugby union side in 2001, but was invited to join Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup rugby league competition when spotted by Brisbane Colts coach Andy Griffin.

 

He quickly established himself in the Norths Queensland Cup team and was invited to train with the Storm squad at the end of 2003.

 

While predominantly a utility player in his early years with the Storm, filling in at hooker and five-eighth when Scott Hill or Cam Smith were unavailable, Cooper took over the halfback role in 2006 when Matt Orford left to play for Manly.

 

He has been a revelation in the role, winning the Dally M Halfback-of-the-Year Award in 2006 and the NRL premiership in 2007.

 

At the end of the 2007 season, Cronk won his first Australian jersey in the Test match against New Zealand in Wellington when the Kangaroos recorded their record breaking 58-0 win over the Kiwis.