THE North Queensland Cowboys may have found the man to help bolster their front-row stocks for next season with hard-hitting Canberra prop Ben Cross emerging as a strong chance to join the club.
Football manager Peter Parr last night confirmed a formal offer had been made to Cross, 26, after the towering prop was spotted at the Cowboys' base at Dairy Farmers Stadium yesterday.
Parr said Cross, a 191cm, 112kg front-rower, had inspected the club's facilities and had met with coaching staff before flying back to Canberra last night.
Parr said he was hopeful the club had done enough to lure the Batemans Bay junior, on what is expected to be either a two or three-year deal, and added the Cowboys were anticipating a decision from his manager Steve Stone within the next 48 hours.
"We're pretty hopeful of a decision sooner rather than later," he said.
"He's in demand with a few clubs but I'm hopeful we've done enough to get him."
Despite being in his mid-20s, Cross was only picked up by the Raiders out of the local Canberra competition three years ago and has played 18 National Rugby League games since making his debut in 2003.
"He certainly has some size and a presence and if we can coerce him to come here we think he would be the right fit for us," Parr said.
"He's got a presence about him and he plays his football very aggressively."
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,15987824%5E14793,00.html
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What a terrible day to be a raiders fan
