Melbourne Storm veteran Ryan Hoffman says his teammates miss Cooper Cronk’s friendship ahead of the season getting underway on Thursday night.

Cronk joined the Sydney Roosters late last year and makes his Tricolours debut on Saturday against Wests Tigers.

“It’s certainly different when they’re not there, with Cooper’s voice at the top of his lungs,” Hoffman told SEN.

“He’s had that number 7 jersey since 2006, it’s a very long time, but this happens in rugby league. There’s going to be a time in the future where we don’t see Bill (Billy Slater) in the 1 or Smithy (Cameron Smith) in the 9. He’s the first one to go off to different pastures.

“We loved him and miss him more as a mate. Obviously as a teammate he is a great person to have on the field and a great player, but we miss him more as a friend down here.”

Melbourne play Canterbury in Perth.

The81stMinute Call Team returns this Saturday at ANZ Stadium for Magpies versus Bulldogs – live from 1pm on steelesports.com.au!