Cronk helps Meaney in Storm halves role

Melissa Woods | March 9, 2022

Melbourne have turned to legendary halfback Cooper Cronk to help get Nick Meaney up to speed ahead of his NRL debut in the No.6 jumper.

Meaney will start at five-eighth against Wests Tigers on Saturday night at CommBank Stadium, a position he hasn’t played since high school.

The 24-year-old joined the Storm this season after three years with Canterbury and one at Newcastle, playing at fullback, wing and one start in the centres over his 65-game career.

He spent the pre-season training at fullback with Ryan Papenhuyzen in doubt for the season opener with an ankle injury however the gun No.1 has trained strongly this week.

The suspension of Cameron Munster and injury to Cooper Johns left coach Craig Bellamy scratching for another playmaker with Meaney getting the nod.

“When Cooper (Johns) did his shoulder the conversation came up about me going to the halves,” Meaney said on Wednesday.

“I’ve spent about two weeks there … I’m still adapting to the system we have here at the Storm.

“Defensively I feel really comfortable but I’m still learning the combinations with the players around me.

Cronk played 14 seasons with Melbourne before switching to the Sydney Roosters and winning premierships in 2018 and 2019.

While he’s on the Roosters books as an assistant, the former Queensland and Test half still works as a consultant with the Storm and stepped in to help Meaney with his attack.

“We’ve had Cooper Cronk in this week helping and it was really good to get inside of how he thinks, his approach to it, his little mindset when he’s attacking the line,” Meaney said.

“It’s been really helpful to myself.”

While he’s been working on his kicking game and distribution, Meaney said his running game was still his strength.

“Being a fullback, I’d like to think my running game is probably my strongest suit but I’ve got guys around me who are quite handy – Kenny Bromwich and Juzzy (Justin Olam) and Xavier (Coates) on the edge so getting the ball to those guys is important to let them do their thing.

“A gold balance of both will help me fit in nicely.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne skipper Jesse Bromwich has been ruled out of round one under the NRL’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Test prop has avoided the virus himself but has been deemed to be a close contact after one of his children tested positive.

He has been unable to train with the squad for a week already and will remain in isolation until next Wednesday.

Bromwich has been replaced in Storm’s 24-man squad by former Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa, who made the switch back to the NRL last season after a rugby union stint .