Cooper Cronk on Roosters player welfare and how Parramatta Eels can go one better this NRL season

NRL legend Cooper Cronk has spoken out in support of his former team, saying the Roosters look after their players better than other clubs in the wake of Angus Crichton’s prolonged absence to deal with his bipolar diagnosis.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the recent NRL launch for Kayo and Fox League, Cronk said the Roosters would look after Crichton like a ‘son’, after a social media account leaked information about his mental health.

Crichton’s father, Charlie, confirmed in a statement that his son had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

It comes after a great 2022 for the second rower; who was very strong for NSW and Australia, suffered nasty concussions and broke up with his high-profile partner, Olympic runner Morgan Mitchell.

Cronk was, of course, very supportive given the situation, saying there were certainly some clubs, like the Roosters, that were brilliant at putting player welfare first…and others that weren’t.

NRL legend turned Fox Sports commentator Cooper Cronk, pictured with his wife Tara (also a prominent sports presenter), told Daily Mail Australia that Angus Crichton would be cared for “like a son” at the Roosters.

Angus Crichton will spend an extended period sidelined to start the season after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

‘You can’t control what other people say or do. If we as a society try to change that, then we are losing the battle,” Cronk said of criticism surrounding a social media page that leaked information about Crichton’s mental health.

“I think the Roosters care about their players as if they were their own children. It’s one thing that some clubs, like the Roosters, do better than others.

‘You have to remember that these young men and women come to our clubs and the mums and dads trust that the club is looking after them.

“And I’m not sure what the circumstances are around Angus, but I can guarantee that the Roosters will take care of him,” Cronk said.

It’s been a bit of a disjointed pre-season for the Chooks, with a lot of external noise surrounding how they can sign so many stars, injury and positional concerns and a group of World Cup stars facing later starts than usual.

Cooper Cronk (right) won six Grand Finals throughout his Storm and Roosters career

But Cronk, who won the 2018 and 2019 premierships with the club after his historic Melbourne Storm career, says he has no doubt they will be ready to battle for the Arthur Beetson Cup against the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. .

“There’s a minimum standard that Trent Robinson and the Roosters expect of their players … but I think individually and collectively, everyone would have learned a lot from how they finished last year and I think that plays into how they do it.” do it,’ he said.

Of course, one of the other teams on everyone’s lips this preseason has been the Eels, and if, after losing several key forwards, the team can improve after losing to the Panthers in last year’s grand final.

Cronk, who has won six (although two have been stripped) and lost three Grand Finals during his career, said the biggest factor in rebounding from the devastation was not bolstering skills or combinations.

It is to ‘invigorate’ as a team, with everyone in the club moving in the same direction and without selfishness or selfishness.

Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson was redundant after the club’s big final defeat, and how he can lead and ‘galvanise’ the team will be crucial to their recovery.

Running back Mitchell Moses’ leadership will also be crucial after the 2022 Grand Final disaster

“When you lose the grand final, it’s quite easy to point fingers and say you didn’t do this or that kind of thing didn’t happen,” he said.

“So I think any team that comes back from a big loss in the final has to be united, has to be galvanized, has to be selfless, has to have a team mentality.”

“So I think a challenge for Parramatta has nothing to do with football. This is about their unit,” Cronk said.

The 372-game running back with one of the brightest resumes in the game was, and still is as a commentator, known for having one of the smartest minds, if not the smartest, in football.

He was an expert at ordering the troops and getting the best out of himself and his teammates.

Cronk said being able to do that is crucial for any team seeking Grand Final glory after a poor showing in last year’s edition.

“If they (Parramatta) are going to come back to the grand final, they will build on that team, culture and unity and help their teammate to be the best player, not necessarily individual,” he said.

The soccer legend also praised the impact of women in the game, saying that players like popular blues superstars Kezie Apps and Jess Sergis not only play brilliant soccer, but also inspire boys and girls across the country. in an increasingly competitive environment for player participation.

Aside from her skill and athleticism, Cronk says NSW Origin stars like Jess Sergis (centre) and Isabelle Kelly (right) are more importantly encouraging young girls to play the game.

NRLW and Origin stars like Corban Baxter (L), Jess Sergis (2L), Kezie Apps (2R) and Ali Briggenshaw (R) are inspiring a whole new generation of young people.

‘In addition to bringing incredible skill, athleticism; they’re inspiring a generation,’ Cronk said.

‘In the men’s game 20-30 years ago with our old Laurie Daley they were doing that thing that inspired the generation that’s coming now.

‘They’re inspiring the next generation…there’s going to be a girl watching Origin or NRLW at some point and she’s like, ‘Mommy, daddy, can I play that game?’ by Sergis and Apps.’

The 2023 NRL season kicks off on Thursday night when the Eels take on the Storm in Parramatta.