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Brodie Croft: A Must-Pick in Fantasy Next Year

Dermott Banks

Source: Melbourne Storm via Facebook

 

At just 20 years old, Brodie Croft has already been labelled as Melbourne Storm’s next big thing. Set to replace the departing Cooper Cronk in the Storm line-up, Croft featured four times for Melbourne this season and made a positive impression, scoring four tries whilst kicking one field goal in the process. And with that in mind, Storm head coach Craig Bellamy will almost certainly entrust Croft with taking over Cronk’s duties as of next season.

As most predicted, the Storm were crowned NRL champions after a dominant 34-6 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys in the Grand Final. Cronk and Billy Slater, two of rugby league’s most iconic figures, were playing for the last time but the latter has now opted to stay for one more season. Slater’s influence on and off the field can help Croft to settle and adjust to regular NRL action.

Playing for Melbourne brings a certain level of expectation; winning is an absolute must. The debate over whether this Storm side is the greatest league outfit of all time is ongoing at the moment but the future looks bright for a franchise dynasty – and that is the primary aim for Craig Bellamy’s men. The 58-year-old has been in charge of Melbourne since 2003 and he will be quietly confident of leading his troops to more success in the near future.

With the Rugby League World Cup fast approaching, most of the attention will now turn to the international stage. Australia have the perfect opportunity to defend their title and it would take a brave man to back against the Kangaroos – but this should also allow Croft to relax and begin his psychological preparation for the big stage. If Melbourne are to compete at the top of the NRL ladder once again, they cannot afford to carry any passengers.

On talent alone, Croft has shown his potential and Bellamy is the right man to channel those qualities into the professional game. Melbourne won 20 of their 24 regular season matches this campaign and plenty of tipsters will fancy the Storm for more NRL glory next year. Sports analytics sites such as Champion Bets tout having great results, with lots of Melbourne encounters likely to be featured in their picks for the coming months.

Croft should come relatively cheap and that is why he could be a real bargain in your NRLCEO draft next season. The likes of Slater, Cameron Smith – recently named as Melbourne’s Player of the Year for the seventh time – and other key Storm figures will almost certainly be valued at a higher level but Croft may be set for a huge 2018. When you’ve got Wally Lewis saying that you have all the makings of a champion halfback, you know you’re something special.

In the future, Croft could be regarded as one of the best players in the NRL; that is how good he could be. Channelling his potential and talent will be one task for Bellamy but in theory, his natural progression should see Croft develop into a fine, consistent player in Australia’s top division. Watch this space, Brodie Croft is the Melbourne Storm’s next big thing.

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Dermott Banks