Cronk to return as Melbourne halves coach

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed Cooper Cronk will return to the Storm as a halves coach following his NRL retirement.

Cooper Cronk

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed Cooper Cronk will return to the Storm. (AAP)

Cooper Cronk is set to play a role in the development of young Melbourne halfback Brodie Croft long beyond his own NRL retirement.

Cronk's future is still a mystery, after he announced in April that he would leave the Storm to move closer to his partner in Sydney at the end of the season.

Whether he will link with another club or retire is still unknown, as Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy suggested on Sunday that time was running out for the 33-year-old to make his call as clubs finalise their rosters for 2018.

But regardless, Bellamy revealed his star playmaker had agreed to mentor the Storm's next generation of young halves once he does hang up the boots.

"I think Cooper has got a clause that when he actually retires he will do a bit of part-time coaching with the Storm," Bellamy told Triple M.

"If he (retires) he will do one or two days with us and that will be with our young halfbacks.

"Not only his knowledge but also how he actually relates to the young guys and his teaching skills is going to be very handy for us."

Croft, 19, impressed for Melbourne in just his second NRL match on Saturday night against North Queensland.

The Australia under-20s captain kicked the match-winning field goal in golden point at AAMI Park, in the Storm's 23-22 victory.

Ryley Jacks, 25, has also been dangerous in his 10 matches, starting nine times as both Billy Slater and Cameron Munster spent time on the sidelines early in the year.

Meanwhile Cronk has been linked to a number of Sydney clubs for 2018, most notably both Cronulla and South Sydney.

The Queensland and Kangaroos halfback said earlier in the year that he wouldn't decide his future until after the State of Origin series, but Bellamy thought that could lead to his retirement.

"With all due respect I think the longer it goes the less likely it is that he probably will play," Bellamy said.

"I'm not sure a club is going to have the money to pay him if he doesn't decide to play on soon."


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Source: AAP



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