Cooper Cronk

Cronk not driven by grand final defeat

Cronk and his Storm teammates fought valiantly to come back from an 8-0 half-time deficit in last year's decider, only for Sharks prop Andrew Fifita to barge over 10 minutes from the end to hand Cronulla their first premiership. 

Cooper Cronk wins 2016 Golden Boot

Cronk edged out Storm teammate Cameron Smith, Brisbane's Darius Boyd and Cowboy Jason Taumalolo to be crowned the world's best rugby league player.

It is the first time in Cronk's career he has won the Golden Boot award and follows his second Dally M Player of the Year honour.

Taumalolo and Cronk win Dally M

RNZ reports the North Queensland Cowboys lock and Melbourne Storm half-back headed into the final round of counting level on 26 points, but neither managed to poll, meaning the league's top honour was shared for the second time in three years.

Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston followed in equal third on 22 points.

Kiwi's star Taumalolo said he was happy to share the award with Cronk, but was modest when talking about his own outstanding season.

"I don't think I changed compared to last year, just run harder," he said.

Queensland's Cooper Cronk will decide his own fitness hours out from series opener

Cronk surprised onlookers on Tuesday when he ran out with the Maroons' squad for their only training session at Sydney's Olympic stadium ahead of the State of Origin opener.

While he is not certain Cronk would be fit to play, Walters remains confident the half-back would make the cut - but the final call will be left to the man himself.

"I will let Cooper make the call. He is big enough to work out whether he can get through 80 minutes of Origin," Walters said.

"He's quietly confident he can play. But tomorrow, we have to make a decision," he said.

Thurston takes control of Maroons

The Maroons conducted an extensive opposed session on the Gold Coast on Sunday morning and while Cronk's absence as he attempts to recover from an ankle injury was expected, not having Manly half Daly Cherry-Evans on standby was something of a surprise.

Cherry-Evans returned to his Manly home as Queensland finalise their preparations for Game One of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series hopeful that Cronk will play but by no means certain.

Cronk feeling pinch in fitness battle

NSW have accused Queensland of playing mind games after Cronk left training on Friday nursing a rolled ankle.

But Queensland back-rower Sam Thaiday says Cronk's injury is very real, revealing the halfback's round-the-clock icing had been taking its toll at their Gold Coast camp.

"He's a pretty positive person. He will do anything and everything he can to play," Thaiday said.

"His biggest drama at the moment is lack of sleep because he has been up most nights icing it to get the swelling out."

Cherry-Evans leaves Qld camp

Gillmeister says Warriors backrower Jacob Lillyman - not Manly playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans - is likely to come into the interchange if bench utility Michael Morgan is promoted to start in place of injured halfback Cronk on Wednesday night in Sydney.

"But I would be very surprised if he (Cronk) didn't play," Gillmeister said on Sunday.

In a sign Gillmeister's bench call is on the money, Cherry-Evans did not feature in Sunday's training session after being sent back to NRL club Manly.

 

Queensland not giving up on Cooper Cronk, says Johnathan Thurston

Thurston said Cronk, who rolled his ankle at training on Friday, had earned the right to be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Queensland doctor Matt Hislop said precautionary scans on Cronk's injury were encouraging and it was hoped aggressive treatment would ensure the half-back was ready to play New South Wales.

Cronk's advice for new Blue Reynolds

While Cronk holds the undisputed mantle for calmness under pressure Reynolds' game has developed to the point that it not only delivered the Rabbitohs the 2014 Telstra Premiership but has him widely regarded as the owner of the best kicking game in the NRL.

It's a kicking game that will be put under more pressure than Reynolds has ever previously experienced next Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium as he and five-eighth James Maloney look to counter the stranglehold Cronk and Johnathan Thurston have had over Origin for the past five years.