COOPER Cronk’s short refusal to hug Cameron Smith saw him soar in the eyes of many rugby league insiders.

It sounds counter intuitive, given the widespread admiration for Smith.

Cronk would have known all the cameras were on them as he went through the line of former teammates, hugging them one by one after the Roosters’ one-point loss on Friday night.

Smith looked ready for a hug, too — cameras ready — when Cronk jabbed a short right hand, shook Smith’s hand with minimal eye contact, and moved on.

To where another ex-teammate got a hug …

It was the first authentic look at the doubt in Smith’s reputation around the game.

For months whispers about the frayed friendship between Smith and Cronk were denied and diverted.

Saturday’s cool reception between the two was brief but true.

It was not an oversight.