Lam lauds Cronk

FOR Adrian Lam, Cooper Cronk’s arrival at the Sydney Roosters is a double win.
As a former Roosters halfback with 146 games to his name, Lam is rapt to see Cronk at the Tricolours.
Closer to home, though, he is particularly excited about the influence the champion half will have on his two sons, Lachlan and Bailey.
Lachlan is a promising five-eighth who is rising through the ranks at the Roosters after impressing in the Holden Cup.
He also excelled for Papua New Guinea at this year’s World Cup and has previously represented the Australian schoolboys.
Bailey, a halfback, recently signed a three-year extension and will play SG Ball in 2018.
Lam, who coached Cronk in Australia’s World Cup camp, has no doubts his sons will learn plenty from the ex-Storm star at his new club.
“After my time with the Kangaroos, I had a good conversation to my boys about Cooper,” says Lam senior, who is the Roosters SG Ball coach.
“As much as they’ll learn from the coach and all the other players around them, Cooper brings that extra experience, composure and understanding of the game.
“Lachlan has been in the system for a couple of years and he learnt a fair bit off Mitchell Pearce, but I think he’ll get the complete other side with Cooper.
“His game awareness and sense is very good and I think he’ll be great for my boys and the Roosters.”
Cronk commenced life as a Rooster on Friday when he completed weights and testing alongside his new teammates.
He will ramp up training this week as the Tricolours prepare to back up their pre-season premiership favouritism in the season proper.
Lam believes Cronk will provide the Roosters with valuable consistency to take the next step.
“The Roosters have lost a lot of players and I think Cooper will instill a lot of composure and experience,” he said.
“He knows how he wants to play. He’ll have to change a bit to suit the Roosters’ structures, but he is willing to do that.
“Cooper is a very smart footballer. He understands the game and he is a great leader of men.
“He played a massive role at Melbourne with Billy (Slater) and Cameron (Smith) to help them be a successful club over a long period of time.
“I think that’s where Lachlan, Bailey and the Roosters will gain a lot.”
Lam also pinpointed Cronk’s class off the field, as a footballer and person.
“The other good thing about Cooper is his personality,” he said.
“I know he has changed a lot from when he was younger to where he is now.
“He is the ultimate professional off the field with his preparation, but he has also got a great character. He is very level headed, easy to get on with and one of those people you’d like to keep as a friend for life.
“The best football players to be are the ones that are good people and Cooper is certainly a champion person.” Lam also helps out with the Roosters’ recruitment and says the Bondi-based club will always have a special place in his heart.
“I had some great experiences with the Roosters, including making the 2000 grand final and being involved in the Nick Politis era where the club turned around,” he said.
“Now it’s the same for the boys and I hope they can create their own path and legacies.”
– Sunday Telegraph