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Cooper Cronk

From Alfawiki
Cooper Cronk
Born (1983-12-05) December 5, 1983 (age 42)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Occupation(s)Professional rugby league player (retired), rugby league coach, media personality
Years active2004–2019
Known forRugby league halfback for Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters; four-time NRL Premiership winner; Dally M Medalist; Golden Boot Award winner

Cooper Patrick Cronk (born 5 December 1983) is a retired Australian professional rugby league player whose career spanned mainly through the 2000s and 2010s. Primarily representing Queensland in the State of Origin, Cronk spent the majority of his club tenure with the Melbourne Storm before concluding his playing days at the Sydney Roosters, both teams competing in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Throughout his sixteen seasons, Cronk achieved four NRL Premiership titles (2012 and 2017 with Melbourne; 2018 and 2019 with Sydney) from nine appearances in NRL Grand Final matches. He was awarded the Dally M Medal twice as the NRL's player of the year (2013, 2016), received the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground in the 2012 Grand Final, earned the Golden Boot Award as international player of the year in 2016, and was selected as Dally M Halfback of the Year on five occasions.

Early life

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Cooper Cronk played his junior rugby league with Souths Acacia Ridge. He attended St. Laurence’s College in South Brisbane from 1994 to 2000, where he was part of the school's first XV rugby union team and gained selection for the Australian Schoolboys squad alongside former Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom.

Playing career

In 2001, Cronk represented both Queensland and Australian Schoolboys teams before joining the Queensland Cup side Norths Devils, where he scored 37 tries and trained with the Melbourne Storm squad by 2003.

2000s

Cronk made his first-grade debut for the Melbourne Storm in 2004, initially playing as a utility back. During the 2006 NRL season, he earned the Dally M Halfback of the Year award and featured at halfback in Melbourne’s defeat to Brisbane in the 2006 NRL Grand Final.

In 2008, Cronk was called into the Australian test squad as a replacement but did not take the field. He was included in the preliminary Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. When captain Cameron Smith faced suspension during Melbourne’s finals series, Cronk stepped up to captain the Storm in their loss to the Manly Sea Eagles in the 2008 NRL Grand Final.

By April 2009, he was named in Queensland's preliminary State of Origin squad but did not feature in any game. He played in Melbourne’s match against the Parramatta Eels in the 2009 NRL Grand Final, contributing two try assists; however, this premiership was later revoked due to salary cap violations. Additionally, Cronk represented Australia as a utility player during the 2009 Four Nations tournament.

2010–13

A groin operation sidelined Cronk for Melbourne’s appearance at the 2010 World Club Challenge. Following an injury to Johnathan Thurston, Cronk was selected for the 2010 ANZAC Test. He came off the bench as a utility during all three games of Queensland’s victorious 2010 State of Origin Series, scoring his first Origin try in Game II. That year, he also represented Australia at the Four Nations tournament.

During the 2011 State of Origin Series, Cronk assisted tries for Jharal Yow Yeh (Game I) and Greg Inglis (Game III). He appeared as a substitute in tests against New Zealand and participated off the bench in Australia’s matches against New Zealand and England during the 2011 Rugby League Four Nations. Playing at five-eighth against Wales, he scored three tries and provided two assists during Australia’s Four Nations campaign, also featuring in their final against England.

On 29 March 2012, Cronk secured a four-year contract extension with Melbourne Storm. At that year’s Dally M Awards, he was honored as NRL Halfback of the Year. In Melbourne’s victory over Canterbury-Bankstown in the 2012 NRL Grand Final, Cronk received the Clive Churchill Medal for best player on ground.

Cronk kicked a crucial field goal late in Game III of the 2012 State of Origin series to clinch Queensland’s triumph. Reflecting on this decisive moment, he described it as an uncommon experience of total focus beyond personal pride or ego.

In February 2013, Cronk earned man of the match honors during Melbourne's narrow 18–14 win over Leeds in the World Club Challenge. He started at halfback for Australia in their ANZAC Test against New Zealand held in Canberra. Playing a pivotal role in Queensland's eighth consecutive State of Origin series victory, he assisted Justin Hodges’ match-winning try.

On 1 October 2013, Cronk claimed the Dally M Player of the Year award by edging out teammates Johnathan Thurston and Daly Cherry-Evans along with Sharks’ five-eighth Todd Carney by two points. He was also recognized as Dally M Halfback of the Year that season.

2014–16

In the opening match of the 2014 State of Origin series, Cronk suffered a broken arm but made a remarkable comeback in Game III six weeks later. Although Queensland lost the overall series, they secured a commanding 32–8 victory in the final game.

On 30 August 2014, Cronk reached a significant milestone by playing his 250th match for Melbourne Storm, an achievement attained by only three other players in the club's history.

Throughout 2016, despite speculation linking him to Sydney teams such as the St George Illawarra Dragons, Cronk concentrated on steering Melbourne Storm to a strong season start. On 2 April, he crossed for two tries in an 18–14 victory against the Newcastle Knights, and on 17 April, he kicked a crucial field goal during golden point to defeat the Wests Tigers. The Storm claimed five wins out of their first seven fixtures.

By 26 June 2016, Cronk had become just the fifth player in NRL history to reach 200 wins from 289 games, following a 29–20 triumph over Wests Tigers.

On 24 September 2016, during Melbourne's grand final qualifying match against the Canberra Raiders, Cronk celebrated his 300th first-grade appearance, becoming only the 25th player in NRL history and just the 11th to do so with a single club.

At the Rugby League Dally M awards held on 28 September 2016, Cronk was honored as Player of the Year for the second time (his first being in 2013), sharing this accolade with North Queensland Cowboys prop Jason Taumalolo. He also secured the Dally M Halfback of the Year award for an unprecedented fifth occasion.

On 22 December 2016, Cronk was awarded the prestigious Rugby League World Golden Boot Award, recognizing him as the top player globally for that year.

2017

On 4 April 2017, Cronk announced that the 2017 NRL season would be his final one with Melbourne Storm, citing family considerations as his reason for relocating to Sydney. His fiancée, Tara Rushton, a presenter for Fox Sports based in Sydney, played a key role in this decision. It was confirmed on 30 October 2017 that Cronk would join the Sydney Roosters on a two-year deal. The couple married on 14 December 2017.

2018

During the 2018 season, Cronk featured in all 26 matches for the Sydney Roosters, including their grand final triumph over his former team Melbourne Storm, despite playing with a broken scapula. He became the first player in the NRL era to win back-to-back premierships with two different clubs, having secured the title with Melbourne in 2017 and then with Sydney in 2018 as starting halfback. Additionally, he set a modern-era record by appearing in three consecutive grand finals.

2019

On 28 September 2019, Cronk captained the Sydney Roosters to a 14–6 preliminary final victory over Melbourne Storm. Following the match, he paid tribute to former coach Craig Bellamy and acknowledged Melbourne’s influence on his career. Cronk reflected on the emotional difficulty of competing against his former club while maintaining focus on progressing further.

He stood on the cusp of becoming the first player in the modern era to reach four straight grand finals and aimed to secure consecutive titles with one club—a feat not accomplished in over two decades.

On 6 October 2019, Cronk played his final NRL match in the 2019 NRL Grand Final, helping Sydney Roosters capture back-to-back championships and setting records for three successive premierships in modern rugby league. He retired having appeared in nine grand finals and won four titles, earning widespread recognition across the sport.

During a post-match press conference, coach Trent Robinson described Cronk as "the greatest thinker ever to play rugby league," highlighting his profound influence on coaching strategies and team dynamics. Robinson remarked, "Our club and team are stronger because Cooper is part of it."

In his farewell interview, Cronk lightheartedly stated that he "had enough."

AFL coaching

On 7 November 2019, Cronk took on the position of 'leadership consultant' with the GWS Giants AFL team. This appointment, initiated by Jimmy Bartel and later confirmed by head coach Leon Cameron, was intended to support the Giants ahead of their 2020 AFL season campaign.

Rugby league coaching

Cronk has served as a part-time coaching advisor for both the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm, providing guidance and mentorship to players within these clubs.

Media career

Following his retirement in 2019, Cronk transitioned into a media role, becoming a commentator and analyst for Fox League, where he regularly participates in broadcast panels and offers expert game insights.

Hall of Fame induction

In August 2024, Cronk was honored with induction into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame as inductee number 124, joining the 2024 cohort of eleven male players.

Personal life

Cronk wed television sports presenter Tara Rushton in December 2017. Together, they have two children named Lennox and Harley.

Individual awards

Melbourne Storm achievements

Sydney Roosters accomplishments

Queensland representative honours

  • Part of State of Origin series-winning teams in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017

Australian national team honours

Career highlights and accolades

  • Four-time NRL Premiership champion
  • One-time Clive Churchill Medal recipient
  • Two-time Dally M Player of the Year awardee
  • Five-time Dally M Halfback of the Year honoree
  • Recipient of one Rugby League World Golden Boot Award
  • Two-time World Club Challenge winner
  • Seven-time State of Origin series champion
  • Two-time Rugby League Four Nations winner
  • Two-time Rugby League World Cup champion
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