Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner maintains he wants Mitchell Pearce to remain at the club next season but believes his potential departure won't cause upheaval at the Tricolours.
Pearce has a strong bond with many Roosters players and there is concern his potential exit may have a negative impact on the relationship between those players and the club.
However the skipper doesn't believe this issue will divide the Roosters and is adamant the decision was now Pearce's decision alone to determine if he wanted to remain part of the club.
"I don't think so," Cordner said when asked if Pearce's potential exit would have a negative impact on the club.
"Ultimately it's Pearcey's choice. He's gone away now to get away from everything and think about it. I'm here to support Pearcy and respect his decision whichever way he wants to go but at this stage it looks likely he will be a Rooster."
Speaking for the first time since Cronk's signature became official on Monday, the Roosters back-rower said he was excited about the prospect of linking with the Queensland and Australian halfback.
But he is also reiterated his desire to Pearce for him to remain a one-club player.
"Honestly, at the end of the day it's ultimately Mitchell's choice," Cordner said in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon.
"As a good mate, he's been a part of the Roosters nearly all his life and all his football life. I would really love him to stay. That was the plan anyway for Pearcey to stay and for Cooper to come and add to what we've already got. That's the case so far. We're really looking forward to everyone buying in. If we can do that I think we can do some good things.
"I haven't really had much of a gauge on [what Pearce wants to do] because I haven't spoken with him too much. I wanted to give him his space and at the moment he's signed with the Roosters. He's a Roosters player and he's been a big part of what we've tried to achieve.
"He's been one of our best players since he's been at the club and especially when Robbo [coach Trent Robinson] has been here. At this stage he's still with the Roosters and we're looking forward to Cooper coming."
