Cooper Cronk is without doubt one the toughest players to play in a grand final. What everyone first thought was a torn rotator cuff turns out to be a broken scapula.
Hearing from people who have had a broken scapula in the past, it either leaves you with a completely useless arm or sees you in constant 9/10 pain. To be able to finish and sort of physical activity would be an outstanding effort.
This mans just played a full match of the toughest sport in the country.
Many people use to put Cronk as the lesser of the big 3 (Smith, Slater & Cronk), I think after last nights performance a case can be made for the exact opposite. Cooper Cronk is the first player since 1973 to win back to back premiership titles with different clubs. His game direction and organisation are second to none, and I believe he played a significant role in Keary earning the Clive Churchill medal. Also any Rooster fan best believe that they wouldn't have gotten the job done without him.
Moving forward I hope his recovery isn't too arduous. He is contracted with the Roosters until the end of 2019 and with the way he is playing he would be crazy not to play on (his health permitting of course).
The Storm were underwhelming to say the least. I was expecting that they would win the match (as was everyone else). I mean with Smith, Slater, Munster, JAC and Kufusi how could they not? Alas this was perhaps their worst team performance in recent memory and certainly a night Munster will hopefully forget. A champion side none the less I just suppose anything can happen in a Grand final.
Can't wait for the 2019 season to start I'll be bold and make a top 8 prediction right now.
- Cowboys
- Panthers
- Raiders
- Dragons
- Roosters
- Storm
- Broncos
- Bulldogs