NRL 2019 Briefs: Cooper Cronk chases history, desperate SCG ploy, Raiders shun favouritism

There is very little Cooper Cronk hasn’t achieved in rugby league but the star has one last incredible feat to chase before he retires.

Cooper Cronk hunting another record.

Retiring Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk has the opportunity to do something that no player has done in 36 years.

The former Storm halfback farewelled his former team with the 2017 premiership with a win over the North Queensland Cowboys, before moving to the Roosters in 2018 and defeating the Storm in the grand final.

If he can lead the Roosters to another premiership, it would be the first time since 1983 that someone had completed the trifecta.

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The last group to do it was the Parramatta Eels of 1981-83 with the likes of Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Steve Edge, Mick Cronin, Steve Ella, Eric Grothe, Paul Taylor and Steve Sharp present for all three premierships.

Repeat premierships have become a thing of the past, with the last back to back premiers the Brisbane Broncos in 1997 and 1998, although the ‘97 win came during the Super League war.

The Broncos were also the last team to win in a unified competition with back-to-back premierships in 1992 and 1993.

Cooper Cronk doesn’t want to leave with a black eye.

Cronk became the first player in 44 years — and the sixth in history — to win back-to-back premierships with different clubs, overcoming a broken scapula to lead his side to victory.

Cronk is set to retire following this season with the Storm out to make it this week.

Cameron Munster even had a slip of the tongue, saying: “Yeah it’s a bit sad for the game, Cooper having his last game, or second-last game.

“It’d be nice for it to be his last game — I realise what I just said there (laughs) — but yeah, I really respect Cooper and what he’s done in the game.”

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer said achievements were special for Cronk as he is set to retire as one of the greatest halfbacks to lace up their boots when “in terms of talent, he’s not in that category”.

“He came to the Melbourne Storm as a centre and he worked his way into sort of a utility role,” Lockyer told Wide World of Sports.

“He is probably the player that I would say has reached his potential. There’s no one better than Cooper Cronk in getting the best out of himself over his career.

“If he happens to go into another grand final and win that, that’s three premierships in a row. Amazing. And obviously the performance last year goes down in history and folklore.

“He’s unrivalled when it comes to a player reaching his potential.”

‘DISAPPOINTING’: NRL’S DESPERATE SCG PLOY

The NRL is resorting to desperate measures to sell out the SCG ahead of the blockbuster preliminary final clash between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm.

The Daily Telegraph reported the league is fearing only 25,000 will turn out for the match many thought would be the grand final, with tickets being given away for the match.

ANZ Stadium even joined in with a free ticket offer with members able to nab four tickets for the game.

The NRL is also set to use the Telstra database to offer more free tickets.

The NRL wants the SCG rocking.

An NRL spokesman said there had been similar giveaways through the year.

But former NRL star Mark Riddell told his Macquarie Sports Radio breakfast show it was a “disappointing” state of affairs.

“The Roosters don’t have the biggest supporter base and then you look at the Melbourne Storm, I’m assuming they would be AFL fans and it is AFL Grand Final weekend,” Riddell said.

“There are a few factors but I suppose it’s just what we expect from this game. It’s the best of the best on Saturday night, there’s not a lot on competing with it.

“Hopefully we do get a crowd out there out of over 30,000 and it creates a really good atmosphere.”

The SCG has been a fortress for the Roosters this year, having gone unbeaten in six months with a nine games at the SCG where they have outscored their opponents 336-72.

There only loss was against the Rabbitohs in round 1.

RAIDERS LOOK TO DODGE FAVOURITE TAGS

Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson has declared South Sydney favourites for their sold out NRL preliminary final on Friday night.

The bookmakers have the Raiders at $1.40 for their biggest home game in club history but Hodgson warned Souths have the edge in finals football experience.

“I don’t think we are favourites, it’s our first semi in three years. They’ve got more experience in semi-finals. The bookies might say it but it’s not the case from my point of view,” Hodgson said.

Josh Hodgson has shunned the favouritism.

Many disagree with Hodgson’s take with Phil Gould saying it would take a big issue for the Raiders not to go into their first grand final in 25 years.

“Canberra would have to muck this up not to win this game. They should win,” Gould said on the Six Tackles with Gus podcast.

“There are any number of areas to attack South Sydney to accumulate points. They’ve conceded five tries in their last two games in finals time; you can’t be doing that and winning big games.

“Canberra Raiders showed down in Melbourne that if they can hold Melbourne to one try, they can win. If you’re holding Melbourne to one try, I can’t see how they’re not going to hold South Sydney to one or two tries, and they’ll accumulate more than those points against that South Sydney defence.

“I just can’t see a Rabbitoh win. But they’re there — there’s 12 other teams that’d love to be there, they’ve outlasted those and they’ve done an exceptional job. I think they’ve way over achieved.”

— with AAP