Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain Sam Scarlett remembers Mitch Cronin ahead of Memorial Cup

Teammates of a former Brisbane Bronco have remembered the rugby league star, who tragically died last year, ahead of an inaugural memorial game in his honour.

It was a day current Wynnum Manly Seagulls skipper Sam Scarlett remembers as the “worst day” of his life.

Most were battling to overcome the disappointment of last year’s Intrust Super Cup season being cancelled due to COVID-19 as well as coming to terms with being locked down because of the global pandemic.

But then on April 17, 2020 shocking news hit Scarlett, the Seagulls and the rugby league world.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls have made the finals. Thursday, August 29 2019. Mitch Cronin. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Then Wynnum Manly captain and Scarlett’s best mate Mitch Cronin had tragically died after a supposed training accident.

He was just 27-years-old.

Cronin’s sudden passing sent shockwaves through the rugby league community, such was the impact the former Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos squad member made wherever he went.

Sam Scarlett and Mitch Cronin formed a damaging partnership on the field for the Seagulls.

Scarlett said the moment he found out was still something he thought about every day.

“It’s hard to hard explain how tough it was following the news,” Scarlett said.

“But it was the worst day of my life finding out my good mate had gone.

“It was really hard especially the fact we were in lockdown so you couldn’t see your mates as much and help each other deal with it.”

Sam Scarlett and Mitch Cronin on holiday in Bali together.

Cronin, who made his Intrust Super Cup debut for the Souths Logan Magpies in 2011 before joining the Seagulls in 2016, will be celebrated this Sunday when both teams face each other for the inaugural Mitch Cronin Memorial Cup at Kougari Oval.

The cup will be an annual fixture for both clubs.

Scarlett, who has led the Seagulls to become the premiership favourites after an undefeated start to the season, said he thought about Cronin every day.

Mitch Cronin and Sam Scarlett both celebrate winning awards at the 2019 Seagulls presentation dinner.

“Yeah I think about Cro a lot, every time I run out (for the Seagulls) it hits me a bit,” he said. ”For me, there’s no doubt this year is for him.

“Sunday will be a huge day, not only for the team but for Cro’s family and the whole community.

“For him to have this game in his honour shows what he meant to a lot of people and for me to lead the side out on Sunday will be the proudest moment in my career so far.”

In honour of Cronin, the hookers from each side will wear a different playing number on the day and the No. 9 jersey from each team will be placed on the first chair of the club’s bench.

Former Wynnum Manly Seagulls captain Mitch Cronin tragically died in April, 2020. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

There will be a special tribute to Cronin before the Intrust Super Cup game, with both teams walking out together alongside former teammates of Cronin and a dedicatory video will be played on the big screen.

There will also be a minute’s silence in recognition of Cronin.

Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban said the match would be a celebration in memory of the beloved club man.

“Mitch Cronin was more than a great player, he was a beloved member of our club who made a huge contribution to the Seagulls and its community.

“It will be a special day to honour Mitch, and we expect there will be a lot of people wanting to come and pay tribute to him alongside his family, friends, teammates and former teammates.”

The match kicks-of at 2pm.