Cooper Cronk will move to Sydney for love

COOPER Cronk has been self-absorbed for too long, but he’s changing that with a shock decision on his rugby league future.

Cronk is moving for love.

TEST halfback Cooper Cronk has set the scene for a bidding war among Sydney NRL clubs for his signature after announcing he’ll leave Melbourne at the end of the season.

The two-time Dally M Medal winner said family reasons were behind the decision to leave the Storm after 14 seasons and he indicated he will move to Sydney to be with his fiancee, television presenter Tara Rushton.

“This will be my last season in Melbourne,” Cronk told reporters on Tuesday. “If it was a football decision, I’d be staying here for a long period of time.

“But for me to finish up here at Melbourne Storm this year is a personal (decision).

“Tara, my fiancee, is based in Sydney, and there’s a few things in life that are more important than football, like family, getting married and a future.

“I’ve been pretty selfish in my approach to my football career and I think it’s time I put someone else and something else first.”

Cronk said he does not know where his playing career after the Storm lies but he feels ready to play for at least another two years.

The Queensland and Australian representative, who’s played 306 games for the Storm, is contracted to the club until the end of the season but had an option to play in 2018, which he will decline because he can no longer deal with the distance between himself and Rushton.

“Football is great but I need a balance outside of that and I don’t have that here in Melbourne,” Cronk said.

“I get on a plane every other spare minute in Melbourne (to see Rushton) and it’s getting harder to get back on that plane to come back so in the best interest of this football club it’s the right decision at the right time.”

Cronk wants to devote more time to Rushton.

The 33-year-old’s decision breaks up the Storm’s Big Three — Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater — who for so long have been the cornerstone of the Victorian club’s success. The veteran playmaker paid tribute to his teammates and also coach Craig Bellamy, humbly putting their influence above his own.

“To Craig, Cameron and Billy — you talk about the Big Three, in my eyes they’re the Big Three and I’m a distant relative,” Cronk said.

“If they’re here, whether I’m here or not, the Storm’s guaranteed to have success because of those three.”

He also took some solace from the fact his departure will spare Melbourne from having to deal with sudden exits at once down the track.

“What myself, Billy, Cam and Craig would love to do is all finish up at the same time and ride off into the sunset together,” Cronk said.

“But having all those guys who have played such a significant role for this club moving on at the same time would be incredibly tough moving forward.

“It’s not the reason for the decision, but I think it helps the club.”

Cronk and Smith have done so much for the Storm.

Bellamy paid tribute to his star pupil and was thankful Cronk’s exit gives the club time to plan for a future without the first receiver and his partners in crime.

“I think Cooper’s downplaying it a fair bit I think he’ll be very tough to replace,” Bellamy said. “In six months that will be the tough time, knowing that he’s not going to be playing here anymore.

“I think I’ve said a couple of times (our exits should be staggered), that is a fact.

“He’s very precious to this club and he always will be but it gives us time to plan for what’s ahead.”

Cronk won the premiership with the Storm in 2012 and played in two more grand final winning sides that had their titles stripped for salary cap breaches.

Sydney clubs will be fighting over the gun No. 7’s signature, but it won’t come cheap. Reports suggest he is capable of earning $1.5 million a season.

South Sydney has already ruled itself out of the running to recruit him, per Fox Sports NRL reporter James Hooper.

LATEST: Just spoke to @SSFCRABBITOHS general manager Shane Richardson. He said Bunnies won't be making a play for Cronk @FOXNRL

— James Hooper (@jimmyhooper) April 4, 2017

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler believes Cronk will retire at season’s end rather than play in the NSW capital.

“Why would Cooper Cronk come to Sydney to play rugby league?” Hasler said at a press conference.

The reaction has been nothing but positive for the Storm playmaker, while the club has also been praised for agreeing to let him go.

What an impressive young man Cooper Cronk is. So articulate and honest. Personally I hope he retires and ends up a one team player. Champion

— Darryl Brohman (@therealbigmarn) April 4, 2017

Class by Cronk to put family first. He'll never regret doing that. Just as classy by Storm to say thanks & good luck Cooper.

— Todd Balym (@balym_GCB) April 4, 2017

— with AAP

Originally published as Cooper Cronk will move to Sydney for love