Parramatta Eels junior Jesse Cronin a Local Sports Star

THE name Cronin is synonymous with the blue and gold but 18-year-old Jesse Cronin isn’t feeling any pressure when he pulls on the Parramatta Eels jersey.

Local Sports Star Nominee Jesse Cronin. Picture: Justin Sanson

• Baseballer Shannon Gibbins
• Small name, big talent

THE name Cronin is synonymous with the blue and gold but 18-year-old Jesse Cronin isn’t feeling any pressure when he pulls on the Parramatta Eels jersey.

Cronin shares the name and work ethic with the legendary Eels centre Mick Cronin, who was known as a formidable player in the 1980s.

“It is an honour to have the same name as Mick Cronin,” Cronin, who is not related to Mick, said.

“Back in the ’80s the game was hard and physical and that’s how Mick Cronin played his game and that’s how I base my game.

Jesse was pivotal in the Eels’ SG Ball side’s stellar season.

“Now that I’m an Eel people are associating me with Mick Cronin. If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked ‘Are you related to Mick Cronin?’ I’d be rich.”

At 17, the lock moved from his home in the Hunter Valley to take on a position with the Eels’ junior side, moved into a home at Northmead and started at Hills Sports High, Seven Hills. “The move has been very hard to get used to but it is also very enjoyable and exciting,” Cronin said.

This year he was selected to play for the Eels’ SG Ball side, which claimed the grand final and national final. He was also named the side’s player of the year.

He was chosen to play for NSW in the Combined High Schools competition and will be part of the Australian side to tour New Zealand in November.

Cronin has been nominated for the Local Sports Star award. Details and nominations at:

localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal