Cooper Cronk

The back-to-back premiers announced Cronk has signed on to be a part-time specialist halves coach and will work with every playmaker coming through Roosters system next year.

Cronk, 35, retired following the NRL grand final after a third consecutive premiership with the Roosters and Storm. 

The Tricolours have signed former Cronulla playmaker Kyle Flanagan as a replacement for the two-time Dally M medallist. 

He's likely to partner premiership-winner Luke Keary in the halves with Lachlan Lam another option for Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Inspirational Queensland star Cronk incredibly featured for all but the final two minutes as Trent Robinson's side set up the 21-6 win with a dominant first-half display.

The victory came despite their half-back being forced to the fringes for much of contest, as he was nursed through at just "30 per cent" fitness according to Cordner.

Cronk had been a major doubt leading into the match after seriously injuring his shoulder in the Preliminary Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs eight days earlier.

Thurston admitted the Roosters' decision to sign Cronk for two NRL seasons was "harsh" on Pearce, but said the 28-year-old was forgoing a golden chance to complete his skill set.

As Pearce jetted out to the United States on a three-week holiday on Tuesday, Cronk fronted a large media contingency in Canberra ahead of Friday's World Cup game against France to discuss his decision to link with the Tricolours.

Cronk said he hopes Pearce remains at Bondi Junction and believes Roosters coach Trent Robinson can successfully deploy three representative halves in 2018, with Cronk, Pearce and Luke Keary all playing in the same side.

Cooper Cronk and Will Chambers can hold their heads high after the Maroons' loss, with Cronk's pinpoint kicking game keeping Queensland in the game during the first 40 minutes of play, and Chambers's 184 metres and nine tackle busts arguably the best 80-minute performance in Kevin Walters's side. 

With both being so heavily involved in the first half, it is no surprise they felt it the most, and for good reason. 

The first 40 minutes saw end-to-end football, as each side enjoyed 50 per cent of possession in a game that had a frenetic pace. 

Cronk will leave Melbourne at the end of the season in order to move to Sydney for family reasons, with a number of NRL sides believed to be keen to sign the 33-year-old.

However, a surprising turn of events has seen Super Rugby side Waratahs credited with an interest in the two-time Dally M Player of the Year.

Former Waratahs player and coach Cheika believes Cronk has the ability to make the switch, but will not try to facilitate a move in order to have him available for the Wallabies.

Since taking the reins from Matt Orford in 2006, Cronk has lined up alongside more than half-a-dozen five-eighths in the Victorian capital.

In his first year as the Storm's chief playmaker Cronk partnered veteran stand-off Scott Hill, before Greg Inglis was shifted to five-eighth for two-and-a-bit seasons.

Cronk and his Storm teammates fought valiantly to come back from an 8-0 half-time deficit in last year's decider, only for Sharks prop Andrew Fifita to barge over 10 minutes from the end to hand Cronulla their first premiership. 

Cronk edged out Storm teammate Cameron Smith, Brisbane's Darius Boyd and Cowboy Jason Taumalolo to be crowned the world's best rugby league player.

It is the first time in Cronk's career he has won the Golden Boot award and follows his second Dally M Player of the Year honour.