Storm players aren't blue about Bellamy, says Cronk

AAP & rugbyleaguelive.com | 04/07/08 | 0

Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk says Storm players fully support Craig Bellamy continuing as NSW Origin coach.

After losing the Origin series 2-1 to Queensland Bellamy is considering whether he will continue in the position after just one year in charge of the Blues.

The NRL champions lost all three of their matches played without their Origin stars and without Bellamy at the helm, and it's believed he didn't enjoy plotting the downfall of his six Queensland players.

But Cronk, who could easily become a seventh member of the Storm's Queensland contingent next year if form and injury falls his way, says the Maroons players are comfortable with the current situation.

Bellamy says he won't make a decision until the end of the NRL season but Cronk said today the team backed him to continue in the role.

Cronk, who will play his 100th NRL game against the Raiders on Sunday, described Bellamy, aiming to chalk up his 100th win as an NRL coach, as the ultimate professional.

"I don't think it's an issue for him coaching against his players," Cronk said.

"No-one can question Craig's passion, commitment and dedication to the cause, whether he's coaching against guys he knows really well or doesn't know, he studies film and understands their strengths and weaknesses whether it's Cameron Smith or someone from another team.

"We as a playing group have a very good relationship with the playing staff and nothing will ever get in between that."

While the club slipped to fourth on the NRL ladder, two points off the leaders, Cronk said the representative period hadn't unsettled the side and would ultimately make it stronger.

"It's never hindered us at all - Michael Maguire, Stephen Kearney are obviously first grade coaches in waiting and they've done an outstanding job with the young blokes," Cronk said.

"It helps the club in general having guys in representative football, it offers opportunities to other coaches and to the young guys.

"They've experienced first grade a little bit earlier than coach Bellamy might have planned so with guys being rested or with injuries at the back end of the year we've got guys who can just jump in and fill that spot because they've tasted first grade through this period."

Cronk is hoping to celebrate his 100th NRL match on Sunday with a win over Canberra at Olympic Park.

He said he wasn't really one for personal milestones, but it meant a lot that he was marking it with the same club he started his NRL career with.

"It's just a number, it's more the fact that I've got to play 100 games with this club and with a lot of really good mates," he said.

"That's probably more meaningful to me, to play 100 games with my mates.

He hoped that the next 100 would also be spent in a Storm jersey.

"It's very hard with the salary cap and longevity in the game but the culture we've got down here - it's something that's engrained here at the club and makes footy enjoyable."

I don't think it's an issue for him coaching against his players... Cooper Cronk