Melbourne tell rivals to keep their hands off Cronk

CRONULLA and Parramatta have been warned away from Storm halfback Cooper Cronk after new Melbourne chief executive Ron Gauci complained to the NRL about rival clubs approaching the Kangaroos and Maroons star.

Gauci, who is expected to hold discussions with salary cap auditor Ian Schubert about the Storm's plans to retain the Test and Origin quartet of Cronk, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater while in Sydney for today's club chief executives meeting, sent an email to Schubert advising that the 26-year-old playmaker would not be released.

Schubert yesterday forwarded the email to all 15 NRL clubs reminding them that Cronk was under contract with the Storm and had not been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

The move follows speculation Cronk has been offered $800,000 per season to leave Melbourne, with the Sharks and Eels having expressed strong interest in obtaining his services. Newcastle and Manly would also be keen on a halfback of Cronk's calibre, while he has also been linked to rugby union.

However, Cronk has repeatedly said he was not interested in leaving the Storm and intended seeing out the remaining three years of his deal.

"In fairness to Cleary as much as I'd love to sink the boot into that Penreff scum, he did not get one quick play the ball tonight to do Cleary things. Why was the refereeing so different to game 2? There were times tonight when NSW was well on top…"

Replies

Parramatters July 30, 2010 at 11:20am

So over hearing about cronk, lets move on he will never play for parramatta lets stick with robson. Hes doing well. use money to keep all our boys.
slip July 30, 2010 at 11:38am

If I were Cronk or any other Storm player I would be p!ssed and definitely leave, he worked hard for years to have everything (premierships) taken away.

Why stay?
BG July 30, 2010 at 2:07pm

Why are Brisbane, Gold Coast and Souths not being warned off Inglis?? He is also under contract.
- Stretchman > BG July 30, 2010 at 4:55pm
  
  Might be purely a mathematical exercise as an attempt for the Storm to try and balance the books with the cap (and from what we here) they would prefer to keep Cronk on $350K p.a and let inglis walk if he is on $500K to $600K
Jpav July 30, 2010 at 2:36pm

if i was storm i would'nt let cooper go unless he really wanted out and has not given any indication that he does. parra are trying to sign a unicorn
- DanMan > Jpav July 30, 2010 at 3:59pm
  
  Is the Unicorn a good player? If so, sign the little bastard up and get him out there!!
Jpav July 30, 2010 at 4:42pm

very good player lol
Clive July 30, 2010 at 9:49pm

Its actually getting a little embarrassing this Cronk business,us chasing Cronk is like the drunk guy at a party harrassing a married chick.It looks great,seems like a great idea but in all reality almost no chance of happening,it will get even worse if we miss out on Kimmorley and fail to resign guys like Horo just because we are waiting for Ozzies pipe dream.

CHICK.IT
- Parramatters > Clive July 30, 2010 at 9:57pm
  
  I agree mate, it's like someone going after a hot chick all night, and failing and ending up after the ugly bitch. Parra are looking desperate. Stick with what we got and don't change shit like at the end of last year. And we might start the year with some wins.
Jpav July 30, 2010 at 10:02pm

well said no means no! lol