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Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk to head to Sydney after 2017 NRL season

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Cooper Cronk always did things his own way and in his own time.

On the training ground and on game day he maintained the highest standards and was furious on the rare occasion he fell short.

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Cooper Cronk to leave Melbourne Storm

Current Dally M medallist Cooper Cronk, announces he will be leaving the Melbourne Storm to move to Sydney at the end of the 2017 NRL season.

Off the field he was focused on performance, in his own words "selfish" about his preparation and his body.

When it came to making his exit from Melbourne Storm, he announced that in his own time too confirming on Tuesday he would leave the club at the end of this season.

Cronk is following his heart to Sydney where his fiancee Tara Rushton lives and has made a career as a Fox Sports presenter.

"Sometimes there is more to life than football," Cronk said.

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"I'm jealous of the guys who have their families here, who have their loved ones and have football in the same city.

"Unfortunately or fortunately - whichever side you sit on, it's time for me to try and prioritise my time and my future and that's why I've made the announcement."

"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 says he doesn't know whether he will play on with a Sydney club in 2018 or retire - he has good options in the media and is already exploring that side of football.

But every hint and even the timing of the announcement lends itself to Cronk being on the field next year.

Cronk also acknowledged he was whipping up a recruiting and media storm of his own as Sydney clubs prepare bids for his services and the Storm, perhaps, enter the market for his replacement.

"I don't know what is ahead for me next year but if you ask me if I could play, then yes I could," Cronk said.

"I feel physically and mentally that I could play another couple of years but there are other things to weigh up.

"My attachment to this football club is one thing but the other thing is once you are retired, you are a long time retired, so there will be some conversations around that and I don't have a timeline around this decisions.

"The last four to six weeks have been about this decision and I haven't given any thought to the next one, I will take some time to do that."

Cronk re-signed with the Storm last year on a two-year deal with a player option for the second season.

He opted against picking up that option after an offseason which saw him become engaged to Rushton and start planning his life beyond football and beyond Melbourne.

Cronk's decision shows how fortunate the Storm have been to have Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and other long serving players raise their families in Melbourne after moving from interstate.

Cronk seemed content to keep moving between the two cities but it was wearing him down.

"Last year was one of the most enjoyable years of my career," Cronk said.

"I went away and got engaged in the offseason and coming back to Melbourne for preseason, the football was great.

"I love the playing group, the coaching staff and what the Storm stands for but I need balance and I don't have that here in Melbourne.

"I get on a plane every spare minute to go to Sydney and it's getting harder to get back on the plane."

Cronk's departure leaves the undefeated Storm chasing a premiership this season but needing to fill another key position in the side for next season after losing prop Jordan McLean (North Queensland) and second-rower Tohu Harris (NZ Warriors) for 2018.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy found out about Cronk's decision two days ago and club management in the last 24 hours so they haven't had much time to ponder what to do.

But Cronk on good money and should leave money available for the team to chase a high end halfback like Luke Brooks from Wests Tigers or they might look at young halfback Brodie Croft or current five-eight Ryley Jacks who has impressed as a playmaker in his rookie season.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said knowing Cronk would leave at the end of the season leaves a big hole in the side.

"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."

smh.com.au

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