Sydney Roosters veteran Cooper Cronk has played down injury concerns, insisting he came from the field as a precaution during his side’s 36-4 thumping of Brisbane.
After spending the last fortnight on the sidelines because of a hamstring complaint, Cronk copped a series of stiff hits before being substituted midway through the second half at the SCG on Thursday night
Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Junior will on Friday come under the scrutiny of the match review committee after whacking the champion playmaker after he had passed the ball.
The tackle was put on report and described as a “dog shot” by Immortal Andrew Johns.
Cronk came from the field after seemingly copping friendly fire from Poasa Faamausili while tackling Corey Oates.
However, Cronk insisted with his side up 22-0 at the time – it was job done and he came off for the final 28 minutes to give himself a rest.
“No injury. I’ve been out with a tight hamstring for the last two weeks,” Cronk said.
“The idea leading into the game was to get some real good quality minutes in. Our first-half was pretty good, we played real high-quality footy.
“In terms of getting our bench some minutes, it was just precautionary to come off.”
Cronk stayed on the ground for several moments after being hit from behind by Pangai Junior but said he had come to expect that sort of treatment.
“It’s part of the job description, it’s part of your role as a ball player, you’ve got to go into the line and create some space for your outside players,” Cronk said.
“The officials will take care of all that stuff. As long as I keep on getting up and standing, I’ll keep doing my job.
“I’d prefer not to (get hit from behind) but sometimes that’s a part of football. Sometimes they do it so halves don’t go into the line and create space.
“I’ll keep doing it for my team as long as guys can take advantage of it.”
Johns has long been vocal about the need to offer greater protection for playmakers and Cronk said there was no place in the game for cheap shots.
“If it’s late, high, aggressive contact, wipe it out of the game completely,” Cronk said.
“I’m not talking about that incident, I’m talking generically.
“There was a question mark, it could have been 10 in the bin but I trust the officials.”
