Inside the NRL: Cooper Cronk hints at retirement while Gareth Widdop continues to impress

Jenna Brooks has the latest from the NRL as Cooper Cronk reveals that the 2017 season might be his last. Plus, details of the Wests Tigers new coach - and could Joe Greenwood be set for some time on the sidelines?

Cronk future

Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, after 14 years playing for the Storm.

The two-time Dally M winner will move to Sydney to be with his fiancé and it is still unclear what the future holds for the 33-year old.

The Queensland and Australia halfback said he has no interest in looking at offers from Sydney clubs in the coming months and hinted that 2017 may be his final year playing the game.

Cronk told Fox Sports: "I actually don't know if I want to play on next year. There are a lot of things I need to take into account. 2017 has the potential to be a massive year football wise, with Origin and the World Cup."

The one-club player made his Melbourne debut in 2004 and has gone on to play 306 games for the Storm.

Hasler extends

Canterbury Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Belmore until the end of 2019.

Live Betfred Super League

Hasler's job has recently been called into question after the Bulldogs' early exit from last year's finals series, coupled with a slow start to 2017, with just two wins from five games, including a 36-0 defeat to Manly in round four.

The Bulldogs coach said he has been extremely happy at Belmore. "The club has great history and tradition and an incredibly loyal fan base. I am pleased that I have been able to reach an agreement with the club to extend my contract until the end of 2019."

Hasler, who has been at the Bulldogs since 2012, is one of the NRL's most successful coaches, leading his team to the finals every year, as well as two Grand Final appearances.

Cleary appointed

The Wests Tigers have named Ivan Cleary as their coach on a three-and-a-half year deal, keeping him in charge until the end of the 2020 season.

Cleary, who replaces Jason Taylor, is the Tigers fifth coach in as many years, and the former Warriors and Penrith boss is confident he is the right man to lead the club forward.

"I'm confident that the program I can deliver will get results in time. How long that will take, I'll find out over the next weeks and months."

The Tigers are bottom of the ladder after suffering four straight defeats.

Greenwood caution

Joe Greenwood suffered what could be a third head knock in three weeks during the Titans' 28-22 defeat to the Warriors on Sunday.

The former St Helens forward collided with team-mate Ryan James late in the game and was forced from the pitch for a head injury assessment.

The incident follows a concussion concern for Greenwood in round two against Newcastle, as well as a controversial incident the following week where the Englishman refused directions to leave the pitch from a Titans trainer.

Live Betfred Super League

The NRL issued the club a fine for breaching concussion protocols and if found guilty, Sunday's occurrence would be a third knock to the head for Greenwood in as many weeks.

Titans chief operating officer Tony Mestrov said a decision on the 24-year old's availability will be made towards the end the week. "He (Greenwood) was fine but the fact is he has had a couple now. We'll make a decision later in the week."

Widdop stars

Gareth Widdop's impressive start to the season continued after the St George Illawarra captain led his team to a 28-6 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday to see the Dragons move into second, two points behind unbeaten leaders Melbourne.

After five rounds, Widdop is the NRL's leading point scorer on 54, with three tries and 21 goals. The Englishman is being compared to Rugby League legend Wally Lewis.

Widdop set up four of the Dragons five tries, but it was a spectacular long pass to Jason Nightingale that was arguably the highlight of the game.

Channel Nine commentator and Rugby League great Andrew Johns praised the five-eighth. "That is as good a pass as you'll ever see. That's Wally Lewis like. Amazing skill."

Nightingale also credited the England international. "He's going great, he's got a lot of ability and he's remembering how good he is. Halves cop a lot of scrutiny and are under a lot of pressure to control the team and he's doing a great job of that."

Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports and get 12 months for just £18 per month. Upgrade now!