MAROONS utility and Melbourne Storm stalwart Cooper Cronk has slammed talk of him linking with Parramatta as "disrespectful", "hurtful" and "untruthful".
Cronk, who has formed part of the heart and soul of the club rocked by May's salary cap scandal, declared he remains 100 per cent committed to rebuilding the Storm from 2011.
The 26-year-old Origin star said neither he nor his management team have had contact with the Eels and is adamant Melbourne's "Fab Four", which includes Origin teammates Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, would need to be forced kicking and screaming from their beloved club.
The quartet, and the entire Melbourne fraternity, continue to await the results of a forensic audit into the club's salary cap conduct.
"I think it's quite disrespectful for people to be tossing things up that they don't have any information about," Cronk said of the Eels link. "When certain media toss things up, the public perception is that's the truth, and I have got a lot of family and friends and supporters of the club who will obviously be reading those things.
"Whoever wrote the story is entitled to, but I think they should probably check with me or someone who is close to the club that knows a little bit more than they do.
"I'm not aware of it. I don't think anyone can be doing any of that stuff [negotiating] until things are sorted out. Me, my mates and the people in the four walls know I'm 100 per cent committed to the Melbourne Storm.
"I'm not sure what's going to unfold in the future but one thing I can't question is my love for the jersey and club down in Melbourne."
Slater, who has also been linked to a series of other clubs and codes, said the speculation was taking its toll.
"We can't wait until it is all out and they start making some decisions," Slater said.
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Get over him and the D(og) T(urd)