Melbourne’s bid to make up for their lost NRL premierships strengthened considerably as halfback Cooper Cronk became the final member of their Big Three to sign a new long-term deal.

The 28-year-old ended months of intense speculation – and worry for his coach Craig Bellamy – when he agreed to stay with the club until the end of 2016 on a deal believed to be worth $2.6 million.

The retention of Cronk, along with fellow superstars fullback Billy Slater and skipper-hooker Cameron Smith, keeps the ladder-leading Storm’s feared spine intact.

And with it their ambitions to make up for the two premiership titles stripped from them in the 2010 salary cap scandal.

Linked with possible moves to Gold Coast, St George Illawarra, South Sydney and Sydney Roosters, Cronk kept even Bellamy in the dark about his thinking until finally making his decision a day before announcing it.

Expected to be the starting halfback for both Australia and Queensland this season, Cronk said his decision came down to what presented the biggest personal challenge and what would make him a better person.

And he gave an ominous warning that the best had yet to be seen from the Storm, who are unbeaten this season.

Cronk also admitted the club being stripped of the 2007 and 2009 premierships and three minor premierships – all of which he was involved in winning – was still a painful issue.

“Like all families, I’ve had my moments with Melbourne Storm, moments I wished never happened,” Cronk told a packed media conference.

“But I’ve been lucky enough to be able to balance those sad moments with others that I will remember for the rest of my life.

“In my heart I believe the best in Melbourne Storm is still to come.

“For me, it’s the bigger challenge and what makes me the better person and this club gives me that opportunity in bucket-loads.”

Cronk himself took issue with the widely held view that the Storm’s success or failure rested with him, Slater and Smith, saying more credit must go to Bellamy and his other teammates.

“I’m not a fan of the term `the Big Three’; I think Craig’s paramount to the success of this football club,” he said.

“To consider that a couple of players throw the ball to one another to win games of football, I think that’s not the way Melbourne Storm operate.”

A relieved Bellamy said he wasn’t always sure if Cronk would stay and hadn’t pressured his strong-minded playmaker, fearing “he would rebel”.

“I had a feeling a week ago that perhaps he mightn’t be here,” Bellamy said.

“He doesn’t give away too much and likes to keep things to himself.”

Cronk wouldn’t comment on any other offers or reveal any financial details or incentives the Storm offered him to stay.

Cronk said he enjoyed the “gamesmanship” of contract negotiations.

Not so Bellamy, although he was grateful that the process never adversely affected his halfback or the team at training or in making their unbeaten start to the season.

Bellamy said the news would give the whole club a “huge lift” heading into their AAMI Park clash with Newcastle on Friday night.