Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk quickly running out of NRL options in Sydney

COOPER Cronk remains undecided if he will play next year — and Sydney clubs are certainly not holding out for his answer.

COOPER Cronk remains undecided if he will play next year — and Sydney clubs are certainly not holding out for his answer.

In the 31 days since Cronk dropped the bombshell he would quit Melbourne and move to Sydney for love, no fewer than six playmakers have been retained, signed or agreed to terms with Sydney clubs during a whopping $14.5 million spending spree.

As Cronk prepared to play for Australia in Friday night’s Anzac Test in Canberra — Johnathan Thurston will definitely play alongside him in the halves — he was not fussed about the possibility of clubs having no space or money left for his services.

SWITCH: Will Milf reject Broncos’ $2.7m deal?

Cooper Cronk will line up for the Kangaroos against New Zealand. Picture: Mark Evans

Cronk, 33, is worth at least $1 million a season.

When The Daily Telegraph suggested the Sydney spending spree indicated he was set to retire, Cronk said: “You can draw your conclusions, but unfortunately you’re not inside my head, so you don’t know what I’m thinking.

“The first decision I had to make was completely around the Melbourne Storm and not putting them in a difficult position.

“The next decision I have to make is whether I want to play on or not.

“This year has the potential to be massive year with this Test, Origin, hopefully the Storm are thereabouts, and then the World Cup.

“If the market closes down the market closes down. I won’t be governed by offers, money or opportunities. I’ll be governed by what I feel like I want to do next year, and that won’t happen for a period of time.’’

Cooper Cronk is not concerned about his options for a contract next year drying up. Picture: Mark Evans

The Bulldogs loomed as early favourites to recruit Cronk, but they are expected to announce the signing of Kieran Foran.

Wests Tigers have since re-signed Luke Brooks and splurged $3 million on Josh Reynolds, while Parramatta, whose coach Brad Arthur worked closely with Cronk during his time at the Storm, have the money, but since bought Mitchell Moses.

Penrith coach Anthony Griffin first scouted Cronk when he was playing rugby at a Brisbane private school, and while the Panthers could do with an experienced playmaker to mentor Nathan Cleary, they simply have no room in their cap.

LEAGUE CENTRAL PODCAST: Wests Tigers fans go feral, Storm assert premiership credentials and City-Country descends into a farce.

South Sydney also have the link with former Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire at the helm and a five-eighth in Cody Walker who can be moved and play several positions, but they have repeatedly said they are not in the hunt.

Cronk said he was comfortable with his decision to leave the Storm at the end of the year and move to Sydney to be with Fox Sports presenter fiancee Tara Rushton.

The 33-year-old Cronk has the looks, football knowledge and nous that quickly convinced Fox Sports executives to sign him up to a decent deal should he choose to pull the pin.

Melbourne, Queensland and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith was unsure what his good mate would do, but said earlier this week Cronk was someone who always had things mapped out.

“Knowing Coops, he’s told us he doesn’t know but I think he may have something in mind,’’ Smith said.

“He’s never been a guy who just does things off the top of his head or spur of the moment.

“He’s quite calculated with everything he’s done in his career and his life. So I’m sure he’ll have a plan B, a plan C, and probably a plan D as well.”