Monday Bunker: Cooper Cronk to retire, State of Origin teams far from settled

Has James Roberts played his last game as a Bronco? The Courier-Mail’s Peter Gleeson believes so and said as much on this week’s edition of The Monday Bunker

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Has James Roberts played his last game as a Bronco?

With the star centre well and truly on the outer at Brisbane and the Broncos putting together their best two wins of the season in his absence the question must be asked.

“I think he’s finished, certainly at the Broncos. Clearly there’s a disconnect between him and the coach,” said The Courier-Mail’s Peter Gleeson on The Monday Bunker.

“He was very close to Wayne Bennett, as we know. He’s had some real issues off the paddock.

“I think he’s finished in Brisbane and there are clubs who will be looking for him.

“He’s an outstanding player when he’s on, he won’t be named in the Origin team.

“I think Seibold has made his point very clear, that there is no place for James Roberts at the Broncos.”

Robert has not been named in first grade the past two weeks and due to scheduling he’s not played reserve grade either.

South Sydney have been linked with the explosive 26-year old but Paul Crawley believes the Bunnies will not make a move.

“What I do know is that he’s not going to South Sydney,” Crawley said.

“How the Broncos handle that I’m not sure. I know there’d be a lot of clubs out there but money will be the question.”

Roberts has scored 40 tries in 79 games for Brisbane since joining them from the Titans in 2016.

He made his Origin debut last year but now seems certain to lose his Blues spot after a woeful start to the year.

Originally published as Monday Bunker: Cooper Cronk to retire, State of Origin teams far from settled