Cooper Cronk will become just the fourth player in Melbourne Storm history to play 250 games for the Club on Saturday evening.
Known for his professionalism and willingness to leave no stone unturned in his preparation, Cronk joins an elite Storm club alongside the likes of Matt Geyer and current teammates Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
Making his NRL debut back in 2004, Cronk initially started his career from the bench, filling a number of roles for Craig Bellamy's side before cementing his place at halfback during the 2006 season. He hasn't looked back since. The number seven is now regarded as one of the game's best halfbacks having earned representative jerseys for Queensland and Australia to go with countless personal and team honours with Melbourne.
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Storm Coach Craig Bellamy has worked closely with Cronk for every one of his 12 years in Melbourne since the Souths Acacia junior joined the club for a pre-season training stint ahead of the 2003 season.
"It's one hell of a record, especially with Cooper…he didn't really have a full time first-grade career until two or three years after Billy and Cameron started," Bellamy said.
"He's been very durable, he's very resilient, as I've said a lot of times, I haven't worked with a more professional player than Cooper.
"When he'd rather be doing something else that doesn't get in the way of him preparing for the weekend.
"Usually when you get a player like that, the performance he puts on at the weekend comes from really good preparation.
"He just doesn't leave any stone unturned, it's a great credit to him.
Looking ahead to the his 250th first-grade match with Melbourne, Cronk explained his feelings about the upcoming milestone.
"To play 250 games at the one club is a reminder of how fortunate I am to wake up every day and play the sport that I love," Cronk said.
"Rugby league has been great to me, it's contributed to the person I am today, I've got a lot of people to thank for that.
"I'm grateful to Craig and Melbourne Storm for giving me the opportunity to not only live out a boyhood dream but to live the life I live today.
