When Cronan moved to play for St Kilda in 1984, West Perth, Swan Districts and the WAFL applied to the Supreme Court of Victoria for an injunction to prevent him and fellow West Australian Phil Narkle from playing in the VFL. The Western Australian clubs claimed that the players were still contracted to their WAFL clubs and should not be cleared to play in the VFL. The judge, Justice Kaye, refused to hear the applications to issue an injunction, due to the expected seven-day duration of the applications. He also questioned the importance of the case in relation to other cases, stating "It seems to me that football cases should not be heard in this court" and "there are other matters ... which are more important than football".[3] Both Cronan and Narkle continued to play for St Kilda. On 19 April 1984, the VFL and WAFL agreed on a new clearance system to avoid future legal challenges.[4]
After being delisted by Footscray, Cronan moved to South Australia[5] where he played for Woodville in 1989. He then returned to Western Australia where he played for South Fremantle for two more seasons before retiring. Cronan played in eight state games for Western Australia.[6]
He later turned to coaching, leading Swan Districts in 1997. He has also coached junior teams, including the South Fremantle colts (Under 19) team in 1998[7] and the Western Australian State Under 18s team in 2002.[8] From 2011 to 2012, he was the coach of the East Fremantle colts team.[9]
References
^Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2002). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (4th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Crown Content. p. 137. ISBN1-74095-001-1.
^Poat, Peter (ed.). "Season summary". 1983 West Australian Football Register: 71, 87, 90.
Western Australia 24.14 (134) defeated South Australia 16.14 (110), at Subiaco Oval, 4 June 1983
Western Australia 16.22 (118) defeated Victoria 16.19 (115), at Subiaco Oval, 12 July 1983
Western Australia 14.14 (98) defeated South Australia 14.13 (97), at Football Park, 9 June 1984
Western Australia 21.16 (142) defeated Victoria 21.12 (138), at Subiaco Oval, 17 July 1984