Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary would benefit from playing alongside Cooper Cronk

THERE have been a lot of smart signings at Penrith in recent seasons but Cooper Cronk’s signature would be the smartest of all, writes Paul Kent.

The Panthers will benefit from signing Cooper Cronk, writes Paul Kent.

COOPER Cronk has, thankfully, ruled out a switch to rugby union next year when he moves to Sydney to carry on the world’s great love affair with a little footy thrown into the mix.

Coach Craig Bellamy said he would be a success if he switched and few doubt Cronk had the potential to change the game if he went.

But Cronk has categorically dismissed it.

It still leaves the question will Cronk will play, assuming he continues on.

Parramatta have filled their hole with Mitchell Moses, Wests Tigers have filled theirs with Josh Reynolds and Canterbury filled theirs with Kieran Foran.

Gareth Widdop has re-signed at St George Illawarra, so they’re sweet, Chad Townsend re-signed at Cronulla, Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker are both rep players at Souths, Manly are content with their halves pairing, as are the Sydney Roosters.

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Cooper Cronk’s future remains unknown.

Of the nine Sydney clubs, that leaves just the Penrith Panthers as an option.

Bryce Cartwright is the current five-eighth but hardly a natural halves players. It is believed Te Maire Martin is being shopped around and won’t be at the club next season.

Nathan Cleary is young and would benefit with the wisdom and understanding of a player like Cronk there to educate him.

And then you hear the Panthers are quietly shopping players around, trying to bring down their spending after overshooting their salary cap estimate for next season.

Or are they really trying to find room for Cronk.

There have been a lot of smart signings at Penrith in recent seasons but this would be the smartest of all.