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Gerringong Sporting Personalities
Michael Cronin OAM
Gerringong's favourite son, Michael had an amazing career. He played first grade Rugby
League for Gerringong in 1969 before playing for Country in 1973, where he impressed enough
to make the Kangaroo tour, playing in five tests.
He played in Country's historic 1975 win over City and then moved to Parramatta, where
he went on to play in four winning Grand Finals. Mick played 216 First Grade games for Parramatta
from 1977 - 1986, scoring a total of 74 tries, 861 goals, 2 field goals and 1971 points for
the club.
His point scoring feats were unsurpassed at that time with 316 points for Gerringong in
the Group 7 competition in 1971, 547 points in the Kangaroo tour season of 1978 with 26 goals
kicked in succession and was also leading try-scorer in 1982.
Between 1973 and 1982 he played 22 tests for Australia scoring 5 tries and 93 goals for
a total of 201 points.
He won back to back Rothman's Medals in 1977/8.
In 1985 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia "in recognition of service to
the sport of Rugby League Football".
He retired in 1986, after the Eels won the Grand Final, played against Canterbury.
From 1990-1993 Michael coached the Parramatta Eels First Grade team.
Michael is currently a businessman and publican in Gerringong.
On 4th September 2007, Michael Cronin was formally inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame at
the Dally M Awards at Sydney Town Hall. Chairman of the Australian Rugby League, Mr Colin
Love AM, said; "... Michael Cronin - a magnificent centre and one of the most prolific
point-scoring machines the game has known;..."
Michael Cronin in action
Fending off a Cronulla tackle in June 1979
Some club records Michael set for Parramatta:
- Most points in a match: 27 points v North Sydney , 1979 - 3 tries, 9 goals
- Most goals in a match: 11 goals - v Illawarra 30/5/1982 at Belmore Sportsground (still
stands, but has been equalled by two players since)
- Most points in season: 282 points in 1978 (still stands)
- Most goals in a season: 123 goals in 1982
- Most points in First Grade: 2,001 points, 1977-1986 (still stands)
- Best goal-kicking feat in any grade: 11 successive goals (11 out of 12) v Illawarra 30/5/82
(still stands)
Trivia:
Michael William Cronin was the first baby born in Birrahlee, which was the (then) new
10-bed maternity wing of Kiama District Hospital. It opened on 24th November 1951.
Nickname: "The Crow"
[ Michael Cronin ] [ Keith Darby ] [ Brad Davidson ] [ Patricia Fayne ] [ Samantha Gillard ] [ Warren Holder ] [ Jan Janssen ] [ David Mayo ] [ Lloyd Miller ] [ Athol Noble ] [ Todd Prestage ] [ Paul Quinn ] [ Ron Quinn ] [ Cec Selby ] [ Ashton Sims ] [ Rod Wishart ]
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