This much we know: Cooper Cronk is hoping for a Hail Mary.
Whether or not his prayers – and that of the entire Sydney Roosters fanbase – get answered and he can actually throw a Hail Mary in three days, remains to be seen.
All eyes remain on the veteran Sydney Roosters halfback as he continues to race the clock to be fit for Sunday’s NRL grand final against former club Melbourne.
“I got a bit of improvement today and it definitely needs some. Still trying to throw a Hail Mary. Hopefully it lands and we’ll see how we go on Sunday,” Cronk said of his injured shoulder.
Asked whether he would definitely play, he said: “A Hail Mary doesn’t mean definite, does it.”
Free of the sling he sported at the start of the week, Cronk is more confident of his chances than when he first suffered the injury in their preliminary final win over South Sydney.
He continues to undergo intense rehabilitation over a rotator cuff issue that includes round-the-clock massages, physio and ice treatments.
“I think most people in this room know that I’m pretty diligent, pretty professional with what I do, but I’ve gone up 1000 knots on that this week,” Cronk said.
But he has yet to attempt tackling a player.
“To be able to do some of the things to get stability, movement, range, it’s okay, it’s an improvement. But it’s not enough to tackle Jesse Bromwich or Dale Finucane,” Cronk said.
“So I’ve got a fair bit of work to do.”
Asked if he would have to prove his fitness by bringing down Dylan Napa, he said: “Yeah, because it’s going to happen on Sunday. I have to do something like that.
“Maybe I could pick a smaller bloke like (Luke) Keary.
“But it’s just going to get to a point where I have to test it. I’ll tell you right now, the only reason why I won’t play on the weekend, is I’ll be physically incapable of doing it.”
Despite naming Mitchell Aubusson in the No.7 jumper on Tuesday, Roosters coach Trent Robinson gave little away when it came to suggesting a back-up plan.
Rookie playmaker Sean O’Sullivan, who has played one game this year, is one option, as is utility Ryan Matterson.
Other left-field alternatives include playing Latrell Mitchell or Paul Momirovski in the halves.
“We’re pushing hard for Cooper to play, that’s our aim at the moment. I’ve got contingency plans there for if he doesn’t, but I won’t be sharing them,” Robinson said.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he had never been involved with a more diligent player than his former halfback, and is preparing for him to play at ANZ Stadium.
“I know he would’ve been doing everything, plus, plus, plus, to be ready for Sunday,” he said.
“He’s a tough little Rooster, excuse the pun. I’ve seen him play with a lot of injuries with us. If anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be Coops.”
