Cooper Cronk has hit back at claims the Melbourne Storm may be forced into a rebuild after the departure of four of their starting pack following their first week one finals exit in eight years.
The Storm are in a transitional period after the departure of club stalwarts and representative stars Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Brandon Smith, which will see them field a new look pack next season.
“The Storm exited the finals in week one for the first time since 2014,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
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“Were you (Cronk) surprised?”
“Yeah I was,” Cronk replied.
“I backed Melbourne. I thought the Raiders’ history of four wins in a row might have stopped there.
“I thought the attachment of the four guys in the forward pack leaving might have been enough for the Melbourne Storm.
“I think when Nelson Asofa-Solomona scored with 20 minutes to go and they led by four, the Storm don’t often lose at home when up by four with 20 to go. But you have got to give the Raiders credit.”
Anasta noted that the Melbourne Storm dynasty has been written off before and always bounced back, but questioned if this time it might be too many holes to fill at once.
“What about Melbourne? There was a lot of chat today after the loss that maybe they are going to go through a rebuild,” Anasta said.
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“Maybe they are not going to be that team that they have been. It happens every year, but some experts are seeing it a little bit different.”
“This is considerably more significant this year,” Paul Kent interjected.
“A little bit more significant than losing Slater or Smith?” Cronk answered.
“Well they were only one at a time,” Kent said.
“Clearly the players are not better than them, but they lost four of their pack. They have lost both Bromwich’s. They have lost Kaufusi and they have lost Brandon Smith.
“Four out of six is a big hole.”
However, Cronk believes the Storm’s smart recruiting and Craig Bellamy’s ability as a coach can see them retool and come back stronger next season.
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“There is probably two things about it, I don’t think Craig Bellamy will even say the word rebuild,” Cronk said.
“There is this negative tone. He will come up with some other way of getting the Storm ethos together and instilling it.
“But if you look at the way they have recruited or even injuries to come back. You are missing Kaufusi, the Bromwich boys and Smith out of their pack.
“Their starting forward pack next year I am guessing will be Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Harry Grant, Christian Welch to come back in. Tariq Sims and Eliesa Katoa from the Warriors which I think is a good buy and Josh King.
“So it still stacks up. And I think they will be busy in the off-season and they will pick up a couple of players, but I think they will still be there.
“I think they will play finals.”
But Anasta asked if the Storm can win another premiership before Bellamy hangs up the boots.
“Is there a competition in the next couple of years for Melbourne,” Anasta asked
“Absolutely,” Cronk said.
“They have got Papenhuyzen to come back. Harry Grant is only going to get better.”
