On the day the Storm defended Cooper Cronk’s cameo appearance at training, the Melbourne club revealed their hopes of enticing Cameron Smith back south to take up a similar mentoring role.
The Storm and Sydney Roosters made it known on Monday they were unimpressed with a Sydney newspaper report which questioned Cronk’s integrity in working for two different clubs.
No double agent ... the Roosters and Melbourne are upset Cooper Cronk’s integrity has been questioned.Credit: Getty
“Cooper’s ability to share his knowledge and insight whilst holding the strength of the two organisations is unquestionable,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson, while Melbourne counterpart Craig Bellamy declared: “I haven’t met anyone with higher integrity in the game.”
While Cronk and Billy Slater have helped the Storm prepare the club’s senior and emerging leaders with one-off cameos in recent weeks, they have now turned their sights to the other member of the Big Three - Smith.
Smith will be in town on Wednesday for the unveiling of his statue, but will not address his former teammates before the season opener against South Sydney on Thursday. Club officials are not even sure if he will remain in Melbourne for the game.
Provided Smith does not play on in 2021 - the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos have their fingers crossed he will choose one of them - the first phone call the Storm make will be to arguably the greatest league player of all time in the hope he continues his association with their club.
Should Cameron Smith retire the Storm have him at the top of their list to help mentor their leaders.Credit: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
Bellamy’s assistant, Stephen Kearney, has been entrusted with developing the leadership within the Storm following the exits of Cronk, Slater and Smith, and told the Herald there was one player the current group knew would be the perfect mentor.
“Without a doubt we’re keen to work with Cam,” Kearney said. “I spoke with our six leaders and they all said if it could happen and there was an opportunity for him [Smith] to mentor them, they would love it. It would be similar to what Billy and Coops have already done.
“We’re good friends with Cameron and [his wife] Barb. I know he’s going through a bit of a process at the moment. But if an opportunity presents itself, I’ll try and do what’s best for these leaders here. Cam will be on the top of our list, that’s for sure.”
Kearney was the man who helped co-ordinate Cronk’s field session last week, which saw him working with the halves and speaking with captains Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane, as well as leaders Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Cameron Munster and Christian Welch.
Cronk often helps the Storm with corporate events, and his commitment to his first club was never in conflict with his paid role at the Roosters, something the Bondi club stressed was the case on Monday.
While the Storm have publicly declared their interest in Smith about an off-field role for the first time, Souths were certainly not prepared to take them lightly on the pitch.
Damien Cook, who featured in some epic duels with his opposite No.9, said the injured Harry Grant was a star on the rise while Brandon Smith - Thursday’s starting hooker at AAMI Park - was an absolute handful.
Souths are looking to win in Melbourne for the first time.
“It doesn’t make my job any easier [without Smith or Grant], and Brandon Smith has already said he wants to be the starting hooker there, so he’ll be putting his best foot forward and will bring a lot of energy,” Cook said.
“We’ve seen how well he runs the ball and defensively he’s great. Melbourne are lucky that even though they don’t have Cameron Smith, they have two other guys who would be starting hookers in most other sides in the NRL.”
The Roosters and Storm took the unprecedented step of backing Cronk working at both clubs, such is the respect for the halfback who won six deciders between the clubs.
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