Knights Sign Cross

[Bicey_18]

Crossing Over

Thursday, 7 June 2007 - Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights have further strengthened their 2008 playing roster, agreeing to terms with giant front rower, Ben Cross.

The Melbourne Storm prop signed a three year deal overnight that will see him in Newcastle until at least the end of season 2010.

“He’s really established himself as a member of Melbourne's forward pack which has become the game’s benchmark so he’s exactly what we’re looking for, said Knights Coach, Brian Smith.

“We’ve added two very big, very physical blokes to the group that we already have to join the likes of Sargent, Snowden, Royal and White as the front rowers to pick from next year.

“He was very impressive when we spoke to him and very keen to improve himself as a starting front rower and a leader.

Born in Wagga Wagga, the Batemans Bay Tigers junior played in Paris for a year before joining the Raiders in 2003, debuting against St George Illawarra in Round 18.

He joined The Storm in 2006, making his first appearance for Country this season with instant impact.

At 112 kilograms and 190 centimetres, the 29-year-old is one of the biggest forwards in the NRL.

“He’s a player we feel our team will ride off the back of,” said Smith.

“He’s a very big man and comes extremely highly recommended to us by professional people we respect, including his former Captain at Canberra, Simon Woolford and his current Coach, Craig Bellamy who describe him as a thorough professional.”


www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[Molly]

Why go and play under Smith??? Surely his future was brighter in Melbourne under Bellamy...

 

[Raider_69]

Best signing this club has made in years
i said it when he went from canberra to melbourne and ill say it again, this bloke is rep quality.

I now have to work out what to do, ive gotta either start liking newcastle (alot eaiser without johns, and with mullen and crossy)
or start hating ben cross...

 

[Medievalknight]

Best signing this club has made in years


I now have to work out what to do, ive gotta either start liking newcastle (alot eaiser without johns, and with mullen and crossy)
or start hating ben cross...

Easy R69 ....... :lol:

 

[Medievalknight]

Congratulations Melbourne..............

YOU sign Newton..........WE sign Cross.....fair exchange

 

[Captian_Klutz]

Congratulations Melbourne..............

YOU sign Newton..........WE sign Cross.....fair exchange

But we got 'em both for this season

 

[kia ora storm]

Newton better play well.

Cross was a legend amongst the fans who liked a no nosense forward and he fits this mould.

Surely Bellamy will be scouting for another forward for 08 ???..

 

[Stormerz]

This really sucks, it really does. He makes next to no errors and is always getting over the advantage line.

 

[Lucas]

Yeah he reminds me a lot of Howe in his prime. Sad to see him go, but hopefully we can send him off as a Premiership player.

 

[The_Savage_1]

Not
Happy
Jan !!!

 

[kia ora storm]

WTF is Bellamy thinking ???...surely he would have had a say in this ???.

Our forward pack will consist of the likes of Kaufusi, White and Crossman next year but they are not as big as Cross or even Donnelly and this could be a big problem for Storm if they come up against the big forward packs next year.

 

[Noa]

Good buy for the knights as long as they tell him never to pass the ball. The key factor in Cross excellant form of late is he's no longer looking to pass the ball when he gets picked up and driven backwards, which due to his upright running style happens often.

2 weeks ago he tried to get a pass out under extreme pressure(he had resisted for 5 weeks to be fair) and bellamy took him straight off for 20 minutes. I think he got the message.

 

[Captian_Klutz]

WTF is Bellamy thinking ???...surely he would have had a say in this ???.

Our forward pack will consist of the likes of Kaufusi, White and Crossman next year but they are not as big as Cross or even Donnelly and this could be a big problem for Storm if they come up against the big forward packs next year.

FFS how can you forget Adam Bliar. just as big but younger and hungrier. NZ rep also.

 

[Noa]

FFS how can you forget Adam Bliar. just as big but younger and hungrier. NZ rep also.

Agreed, Blair will be >>>>>>>>>> then Cross, and Cross is a player.

 

[kia ora storm]

FFS how can you forget Adam Bliar. just as big but younger and hungrier. NZ rep also.

Just as big...he is 106kg compared to Donnelly at 110kg and Cross at 112kg...yes he is a good player but we still need a big bulky prop to get the ball going forward...FFS.:roll: