Cooper Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension with Storm

COOPER Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension that will keep Melbourne’s Big Three intact and see him finish his career at the Storm.

Cooper Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension with Storm Picture: Colleen Petch.

COOPER Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension that will keep Melbourne’s Big Three intact and see him finish his career at the Storm.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Storm are in the final stages of securing Cronk in a huge coup for Melbourne on the eve of Saturday’s double-header clash against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons ace is off-contract at season’s end and speculation was rife in pre-season that Cronk would quit the Storm to chase a big-money deal at the Dragons.

But Melbourne hierarchy are confident they have got their man. The club has tabled a two-year contract worth around $850,000 a season and only a last-minute hitch will stop Cronk signing the deal that will see him join Billy Slater and Cameron Smith as Stormers for life.

Storm bosses hope to formally announce Cronk’s retention until the end of 2018 after this week’s clash against the premiers.

Melbourne chief executive Dave Donaghy lauded Cronk’s attitude through a complex negotiation that will see the Test halfback play 300 games for the Storm.

“We’re very hopeful that Cooper will finish his career at the Storm,” Donaghy said.

“All the way through the negotiation process, he has been the ultimate professional and we’d like to see it finalised sooner rather than later.”

Cooper Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension with Storm.

Cronk, who turns 33 in December, was first linked with the Dragons in January following revelations of his new relationship with Tara Rushton.

It was reported that Cronk was contemplating a move to Sydney to be closer to the Fox Sports presenter.

But The Courier-Mail understands Cronk’s initial asking price, in the vicinity of $1 million per season, was too exorbitant for many NRL rivals battling salary-cap pressures.

The impending retention of Cronk will help Melbourne ease the strain of Slater’s retirement in the next 12 months. By inking a two-year deal, he will retire alongside Big Three comrade Smith and possibly coach Craig Bellamy, who is off-contract at the end of 2018.

Slater on Friday lauded the influence of Cronk, who plays his 285th game for the Storm at Suncorp.

“Cooper has been an important part of the Storm for over a decade, he’s a great player,” Slater said.

“He makes other players play better around him, he does all the basic things really well.

“His work ethic is great, he does all the little things right in the football team. He leads by example and that’s why he’s so valuable to the Storm.”

Cooper Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension with Storm. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer said Cronk’s post-football reputation would be enhanced by remaining a one-club servant.

“I hope Cooper finishes his career in Melbourne — it’s the right fit,” Lockyer said. “I’m sure he will want to be loyal too to Craig Bellamy who has given him wonderful opportunities.

“If Cooper is looking at post-football opportunities, being a one-club servant can do wonders for your corporate value. Companies see value in loyalty and Cooper can really leverage that if he retires at the Storm.”

Originally published as Cooper Cronk is on the verge of inking a $1.7 million contract extension with Storm