Willie Mason blasts Sydney Roosters over Cooper Cronk saga

A FOOTY legend says Cooper Cronk’s move to the Roosters could begin a deadly chain reaction as a veteran hangs by a thread.

Where’s he going?

COOPER Cronk’s move to Sydney has set the rugby league world alight as the Sydney Roosters firm as favourites to snag the veteran’s signature for the 2018 season.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Roosters are set to announce a Cronk deal next week, brushing aside the carnage the Kangaroos’ playmaker’s recruitment has caused.

Cronk’s move Sydney has caused an uproar over Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce’s future as fans question the 28-year-old’s place in the 2013 premiers’ spine.

A stint with Cronk running the show in the halves is an appetising prospect for any club, but the Roosters may have overlooked the massive consequences of shelling out for the former Melbourne Storm halfback.

NRL legend Willie Mason took the Roosters to task over the ongoing saga, claiming their sacrifice to shun Pearce to make room for the Queensland veteran could have severe long-term ramifications.

Cooper Cronk’s reported move to the Roosters has caused an uproar.

“He’ll be 35 next year, If they pay him $1 million for one year ... is it worth losing a player like Pearce or Friend for five or six years?” Mason asked on SKIPI TV before smashing the Roosters’ veteran’s critics.

“I don’t understand their mentality on this, I’m a bit disappointed in the Roosters. Pearce has won a premiership, the only time he’s vilified is when they talk about Origin.

“Everyone hammers him and bags the crap out of him for Origin all the time but if you have a look at his club level playing, you cannot fault him — he’s in the top three players for the Roosters all the time.

“For them to sign Cronk in front of Pearce, it’s ridiculous, it doesn’t make sense.”

‘COULD BE A REVOLT’

Mason said Cronk will be in for a rude shock in the Roosters dressing room after over a decade at the Storm, claiming he’ll be in for a few awkward exchanges with the remaining Sydney players should Pearce exit the club.

“I’m scared for how he’ll fit into that locker room, it’s not a Melbourne Storm locker room. Craig Bellamy’s not the coach, Cameron Smith’s not there,” he said.

“I’m not sure how he’s going to put himself in that locker room and tell blokes like Friendy and all these other guys who will have in the back of their head (thinking) ‘the only reason you are here is because you flicked one of my best mates’.”

Mason said the rumours surrounding Pearce’s desire to leave the club could start a mammoth chain reaction.

“We’ve heard rumours Pearce wants out. Maybe Friendy will want out. It could start a revolt,” he said. “That group has been together for about six or seven years, the main playing group, they’ve won premierships together. So when you slide in now like Cooper Cronk is now, it’s just the worst, worst situation for him.”

The Roosters’ acquisition of NSW fullback James Tedesco already sees them with one of the strongest spines in the competition, Mason implored.

“This is what baffles me, I’m not sure what they’re going to get out of Cooper for a year ... he’s a very systematic player. Melbourne was built around him and Cameron Smith, you can’t learn that in a year. The Roosters aren’t going to change everything around it.”

Willie Mason has exploded at the Roosters.