Moedogg
Kennel Legend
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 14,008
- Reaction score
- 21,232
Cooper Cronk says the continuous conversation about an early release for Matt Burton to join the Bulldogs is “ridiculous” and believes Penrith are well within their right to hang onto him.
Burton’s future was in the headlines for the days leading up to Saturday’s Bulldogs-Panthers clash.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs, starting from 2022, but Canterbury are desperate to lure him across immediately. They argue that it’s unfair on Burton that Penrith are standing firm, despite him playing reserve grade.
However, Cronk believes the Panthers are doing the right thing by keeping him at the club for depth. He also says more time in NSW Cup will help his development.
It’s ridiculous this conversation,” he told Fox League’s Super Saturday.
“The kid is contracted to Penrith and Penrith are in the box seat in a premiership window to win the competition.
Why did Wayne Bennett recruit Benji Marshall? For exactly the same thing. If a gun half goes down at some stage, he’s got a really ready-made half replacement.
“The fact is, he may play next week because Nathan Cleary (suffered a head knock), that’s exactly what he’s there for.
“Ivan Cleary spoke about how he’s played 11 reserve grade games and a handful first grade games. That’s exactly his development phase.
“While the question for him going to the Dogs is all about emotion, feel-good and the right thing today, Penrith want to win competitions, they want the best list they can possibly get and that’s 1-30, not 1-17.”
Titans’ head of performance and culture, Mal Meninga, weighed in on the conversation, referencing the Gold Coast’s pursuit of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Fa’asuamaleaui signed with the Titans in December, 2019 for a deal that begun this season.
Meninga believes Fa’asuamaleaui’s final year with his former club, the Storm, was crucial in his development.
“I use Tino as a really good example,” Meninga said.
“He could have come to our club last year but he chose to stay.
We thought it was the best decision for him and he goes and plays for the Storm in a grand final.
“His growth and development through last year was fantastic. He comes to our club and we get nearly the best out of Tino because of the experiences he had 12 months prior.
“(Burton) is a great chance, if he’s in the squad, to play in a grand final this year and you can’t deny that sort of experience.”
After yesterday performance, I'm over bringing Burton over early. Use the last remaining spot for a prop.
Burton’s future was in the headlines for the days leading up to Saturday’s Bulldogs-Panthers clash.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs, starting from 2022, but Canterbury are desperate to lure him across immediately. They argue that it’s unfair on Burton that Penrith are standing firm, despite him playing reserve grade.
However, Cronk believes the Panthers are doing the right thing by keeping him at the club for depth. He also says more time in NSW Cup will help his development.
It’s ridiculous this conversation,” he told Fox League’s Super Saturday.
“The kid is contracted to Penrith and Penrith are in the box seat in a premiership window to win the competition.
Why did Wayne Bennett recruit Benji Marshall? For exactly the same thing. If a gun half goes down at some stage, he’s got a really ready-made half replacement.
“The fact is, he may play next week because Nathan Cleary (suffered a head knock), that’s exactly what he’s there for.
“Ivan Cleary spoke about how he’s played 11 reserve grade games and a handful first grade games. That’s exactly his development phase.
“While the question for him going to the Dogs is all about emotion, feel-good and the right thing today, Penrith want to win competitions, they want the best list they can possibly get and that’s 1-30, not 1-17.”
Titans’ head of performance and culture, Mal Meninga, weighed in on the conversation, referencing the Gold Coast’s pursuit of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Fa’asuamaleaui signed with the Titans in December, 2019 for a deal that begun this season.
Meninga believes Fa’asuamaleaui’s final year with his former club, the Storm, was crucial in his development.
“I use Tino as a really good example,” Meninga said.
“He could have come to our club last year but he chose to stay.
We thought it was the best decision for him and he goes and plays for the Storm in a grand final.
“His growth and development through last year was fantastic. He comes to our club and we get nearly the best out of Tino because of the experiences he had 12 months prior.
“(Burton) is a great chance, if he’s in the squad, to play in a grand final this year and you can’t deny that sort of experience.”
NRL 2021: Matt Burton to the Bulldogs, early release, Penrith Panthers, Cooper Cronk, Trent Barrett, Ivan Cleary | FOX SPORTS
Cooper Cronk says the continuous conversation about an early release for Matt Burton to join the Bulldogs is “ridiculous” and believes Penrith are well within their right to hang onto him.
coupler.foxsports.com.au
After yesterday performance, I'm over bringing Burton over early. Use the last remaining spot for a prop.
