Former Bronco’s sudden death leaves loved ones reeling

Just last week, Mitch Cronin had every reason to celebrate. The former Bronco and Wynnum Manly captain had received news he had passed a firefighting course with a view to one day join QFES. On Friday, his body was discovered.

BRISBANE coach Anthony Seibold has paid tribute to Mitch Cronin as the Queensland Rugby League fraternity yesterday mourned the tragic death of the former Bronco and Wynnum Manly captain.

The Wynnum Manly club, Broncos officials and hundreds of teammates and NRL players were in a state of shock yesterday after learning Cronin had passed away following a freak mishap in his family pool on Brisbane’s southside.

Just last week, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Cronin had every reason to celebrate. The 27-year-old received notification he had passed a firefighting course with a view to one day joining Queensland’s Fire and Emergency Services.

On Friday, he was discovered face down in the family pool. It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, with Cronin having suffered a suspected heart attack.

Former Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain Mitch Cronin. Picture: AAP Image/Renae Droop

Due to celebrate his 28th birthday on Anzac Day, Cronin was one of the most distinguished players in Queensland’s premier league competition, the Intrust Super Cup.

The versatile utility played 116 career games since 2011, was a member of the Queensland Residents for the past four years and captained Wynnum Manly in last year’s grand-final loss to the Burleigh Bears.

Broncos coach Seibold taught Cronin and his brother Ben at Clairvaux MacKillop College in 2005 and was yesterday reeling at the news.

“Mitch was a terrific young man,” Seibold said.

“I just want to pass on my condolences to the Cronin family on Mitch’s passing.”

Mitch Cronin (left with Former Raiders star Jordan Rapana. Picture: Instagram

Queensland Rugby League boss Rob Moore sent an email to QRL directors on Friday night notifying them of Cronin’s death in what was described as a “training accident”.

Wynnum bosses were yesterday flooded with text messages of support from NRL players and officials who had come to know Cronin following his decade of service in the professional and semi-professional spheres.

He had a stint at Canberra in 2012 and while he never played NRL, Cronin appeared for the Raiders at an NRL Nines tournament in Auckland in 2004. He later joined the Brisbane Broncos where he played for feeder-club Wynnum in the Intrust Super Cup.

Cronin received an offer to play in France last year but was unable to head overseas due to visa issues.

There was no sign of any impending tragedy. As late as Thursday, Cronin stopped into the Wynnum Manly club to pick up some weights to add to his home gym for workouts during the COVID-19 lockdown.

He completed a weights session on Friday, then decided to cool down with the brief swim that tragically ended his life.

“We are devastated by the passing of our captain Mitch Cronin and we send our love to Chris, Andrea, Ben, Amy and the Cronin family,” said Wynnum chief executive Hanan Laban in a statement.

“Mitch was an exceptional young man who was loved and respected by his teammates, his coaching staff, our supporters and the wider rugby league community.

“From the moment he arrived at Wynnum he embodied the values of the Seagulls through his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and deep care for his teammates and his club.

“He was a fantastic leader who was genuine, caring and selfless with his actions.

“Mitch was a quiet achiever with a humble nature, who did not need to say too much to be held with enormous respect by his peers.

Former Brisbane Broncos player and Canberra Raiders player Mitch Cronin. Picture: Instagram

“He was fearless on the field, yet kind and modest off it – Mitch is forever in our hearts.”

Cronin’s manager Paul Hogan said he was still coming to terms with the aspiring NRL star’s death.

“It is a tragic loss of life,” Hogan said.

“He really was a lovely young man. Everyone in the Queensland Cup held him in such high regard.

“This has left the Wynnum club, their players and myself totally shocked.

“He was an outstanding young man and my thoughts are with his family.

“We are all shattered.”