Money in the bank: Cronk adds value to Ferguson's game

Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk thinks of himself as a bank.

"He reckons he puts the deposits in at training and withdraws them in the games," Roosters winger Blake Ferguson says of his No.7.

According to Ferguson, Cronk's arrival at the Roosters has added currency to his game as the former Test winger has enjoyed his most consistent season in the Telstra Premiership.

"I had a couple of good seasons down in Canberra but I have felt more confident this year," Ferguson said.

"It helps playing with Cooper because I had a pretty good relationship with him on Kangaroos tours and we have played for Australia together.

"He helped me on those tours and I got a lot out of those. Cooper has been pretty good for myself. He is an old fella, a veteran, and I am just enjoying playing with him."

After being sacked by the Raiders at the end of the 2013 season, Ferguson was thrown a life-line by the Roosters in 2014 and hopes to repay the club with a premiership before joining Parramatta next season.

His decision to join the Eels is likely to provide Ferguson the unique honour of playing in the last game at Allianz Stadium against South Sydney in Saturday night's preliminary final and the first match at the new Western Sydney Stadium next season.

"I am not thinking about that because my job at this club is not finished yet," Ferguson said. "I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me to pull on the jersey again so the least I can do is repay them by playing good."

Regardless of the result this weekend, there is no doubt Ferguson has achieved his goal for the Roosters as he leads the NRL for run metres, carrying the ball for 4982m at an average of 199m per game.

He is also second for post-contact metres (68.71m per game), third for line-breaks (19) and has scored 17 tries to be equal fifth on the NRL's tryscoring ladder.

"I think the way our team is structured suits my game," Ferguson said. "I know my role in the team, I know what I need to do to help my team out and I try to do it every week."

During his four seasons at the Bondi club, Ferguson has shifted between centre, fullback and wing but he has settled this year on the right flank outside Cronk and Joey Manu.

"Playing next to Cooper has been good. He is a pretty level headed guy, he sticks to his processes and he knows what works for himself.

"He has added a lot to our right edge and it's been good for me and Joey Manu to be around someone like that. The three of us have got a pretty good combination.

"He puts us in different scenarios and gets us going each week. That is what you want from your halfback, and he delivers. He gives you confidence and direction, and he knows our game pretty well.

"That's the thing about these great players, they are very good on the field but off the field they bring a team together."

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