Melbourne Storm comes clean after Cooper Cronk photo controversy

The Daily Telegraph has exposed Cooper Cronk as a double agent.

Four days ago the Melbourne Storm surprised the rugby league world by posting photographs of their two-time premiership hero leading training at Gosch’s Paddock.

While a club legend returning to his old stomping ground to pass on some knowledge wouldn’t normally be anything out of the blue, seeing the Storm broadcast Cronk’s involvement was bizarre given he has a reported six-figure coaching role at the rival Sydney Roosters.

After The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield start chasing the story, Storm boss Justin Rodski came clean on Sunday, admitting Cronk was also on the books in Melbourne. Part of his salary is included in the football department cap alongside other assistant coaches.

“Cooper has a mentoring role with our halves Cameron (Munster) and Jahrome (Hughes),” Rodski said.

“He’s not here all that often but he’s a legend of the game and has a great footy brain. To have him mentoring these guys is extremely valuable for us.

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“A component of his deal has been lodged and approved by the NRL as part of our footy cap.”

It comes after Cronk’s manager George Mimis had said his client was in Melbourne “for the executive club launch”.

That attempt to pour cold water on the story aside, the conflict creates an interesting conundrum ahead of the first Roosters-Storm clash in round six this season — and any potential encounters in the finals.

Former Melbourne Storm player Cooper Cronk with Cameron Munster at training. Picture: Melbourne StormSource:Supplied

Cronk with Roosters coach Trent Robinson at training at Moore Park. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.Source:News Corp Australia

The two clubs might trust the 37-year-old, who spent 14 years in Melbourne before moving to Sydney to be closer to wife Tara Rushton and winning the 2018 and 2019 premierships with the Roosters, to respect the intellectual property he’ll be exposed to.

But will their fans?

As Rothfield posed: “What will he tell Luke Keary and Lachlan Lam about Hughes and Munster? What will he tell Hughes and Munster about Keary and Lam?”

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