By Kenny Andres
Versatility is always considered a blessing, but it can certainly come with its challenges as Mitch Cronin experienced last weekend against the Jets.
Two minutes into the second half, fullback Daniel Ogden succumbed to an injury that forced Cronin’s unexpected shift out the back.
“[Ogden] went down and the trainer came on and said I was fullback, and I wasn’t really prepared for that.
“I was a bit rusty, obviously not something I practice during the week, but I did my best and luckily we got away with the win.”
Despite some great form at hooker during the first half of the season, it has been Cronin’s versatility that has been a key component to the Seagulls’ recent wins.
Starting at hooker, he has since moved to left centre before the forced change on the weekend saw him make a cameo at the custodian role.
Cronin isn’t a stranger to either of the three positons however, having played the majority of his 2016 season at centre before moving back to a utility/hooker role in 2017 where he was awarded the BMD Players’ Player award.
Ogden is expected to be a late withdrawal due to a groin injury in this evening’s home match against the Northern Pride, so Cronin will once again find himself at the back.
However the genuine utility is getting comfortable with the Mr Fix It role at BMD Kougari Oval.