NRL legend Cooper Cronk believes new Storm recruit Xavier Coates has the potential to become one of the best wingers in the game in a warning to the rest of the competition.
The 20-year-old made the move south from the Broncos and already has Origin experience under his belt being a part of the winning 2020 side and the 2021 team.
Coates has become known for his acrobatic try scoring ability and his blistering pace, made all the more impressive by his imposing frame out on the wing.
After making the big switch, former Storm premiership winner Cooper Cronk believes coach Craig Bellamy knows exactly how to take Coates’ game to the next level.
“I think it is scary what Xavier Coates could do this year,” Cronk said.
“Melbourne Storm have a history of finding players, particularly on the wing, Coates is already a star, he has played Origin but he could become one of the elite wingers in the competition.
“I think of Koroibete, Vunivalu, Addo-Carr and I think Xavier Coates will be pushing that marker to be one of the best wingers in the game within a very quick period within the start of the 2022 season.”
Melbourne’s new recruit possesses all the hallmarks of a top-quality winger including “speed to burn and electric skills up in the air” and Cronk believes he has them all in spades.
But there is one aspect of his game that could be pivotal to his success at the Victorian club.
“Defensively, Craig Bellamy will instil that into his bones about how to defend on the wing and he has good decision makers inside of him, I imagine he is going to play outside Justin Olam,” Cronk said.
“The ingredients are there for Xavier Coates to just follow in Josh Addo-Carr’s footsteps.”
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS