In any other era of the game, Melbourne Storm’s Cooper Cronk would probably be considered one of the best ever. A highly skilled competitor that has all the tools of the trade. He steps and kicks off both feet, passes from both sides of his body, and is strong and capable in defense.

More importantly, Cronk is one of the best organisers of a football team the game has ever seen. Always at least two steps ahead of the play, Kevin Walters once likened it to having an extra coach on the field.

When you pair him with a future immortal in Cameron Smith and a fullback that changes the way fullbacks play rugby league in Billy Slater, and throw one of the best coaches in the modern era in at the helm in Craig Bellamy, it’s no wonder they are arguably the best side of the modern era.

Since their inception in 1999 Melbourne Storm have won two premierships, been runners up three times and won the minor premiership twice. Their only ‘unsuccessful’ year was 2010, however this is only because they had points stripped for salary cap breaches.

The whispers have been around for a while that Cronk would be leaving Melbourne for Sydney due to personal reasons. In a press conference yesterday, Cronk confirmed what all Melbourne Storm supporters feared. 2017 will be his last year at the club.

With a 2018 option in Cronk’s favour, he has decided against taking the option. He cited the need to do things for other people in his life, namely his fiancée, and put his personal life ahead of his football aspiration.

What it means for Melbourne Storm

Billy Slater has returned from injury in brilliant fashion. He hasn’t missed a beat with his attacking prowess and he looks fresh. He has regained some of his speed from a few years ago. But the fact of the matter is that Billy Slater is aging. At most, a player who involves himself in the game as much as Slater has only got two more years left at top level.

Likewise for Cameron Smith. One of the greatest players we have ever seen will be getting close to wrapping his career in the next two to three years. With other key players off contract next year in Jordan McClean and Tohu Harris, this could be Melbourne Storm’s last shot a premiership before they have to enter a rebuilding phase.

No need to panic

Why don’t they need to panic you ask? Two words… Craig and Bellamy. With ‘bellyache’ at the helm of Melbourne Storm, supporters don’t need to worry too much about a long drought after Super Cooper exits at season’s end.

Cooper Cronk made one of the most integrity moves we have seen from a player in a long time by telling his club this early in the season. It gives Craig Bellamy a chance to put together a succession plan and stagger Cronk, Slater and Smith out.

Unlike some other clubs with a broken system, Melbourne Storm has the best front office in the game.

With a two year contract in Cronk’s favour Bellamy would have started to plan for this two years ago. His plan will be simple, bring a young replacement for Cronk to play with Smith and Slater. Then by the time Smith or Slater go, that young replacement will be ready to bring up the next wave of playmaker.

Who is the future?

The number 6 is Cameron Munster and at the moment and he is the future of the pivot structure at the club. The question remains though, should Bellamy go external or internal?

Word around the club is that there is a good young halfback in Brodie Croft. With all the players exiting this year, Bellamy has a wallet full of cash and there are players hitting the market like Widdop, Foran, Brooks, Moses and Josh Reynolds.

For the players who haven’t signed at their existing clubs, don’t expect the negotiations to progress now that Cronk is on the market. Every single Sydney club will be doing everything they possibly can to secure Cronk’s services.

Not to understate the skill and influence Cronk has in Melbourne but at any other club losing a key player like Cronk would send shockwaves from front office all the way to the training paddock.

But when you consider the structure of the club, the other key players in key positions and a coach with future planning and systems of succession in place, it wouldn’t be surprising if Melbourne Storm not only won the comp this year, but also became the first team since the Broncos in the early 90s to go back to back in 2017 and 2018.

by Darrin Seath – contributor