I'm no gouger
July 10, 2005
RYAN Cross thought it was the worst night of his life.
He had just been suspended for six weeks and convicted of one of rugby league's most heinous crimes. But as he looked back on the roller-coaster week that ended with him being branded a gouger, Cross revealed he had conquered much bigger problems.
"It has been a tough few days, but I have had to deal with far worse things in my life," Cross told The Sunday Telegraph last week.
"My mother died when I was 18 and I have had to overcome two career-threatening injuries in the past, so this is minor in comparison.
"If being suspended is the worst thing in my life, that's not too bad. I know I'm not a gouger and anyone who knows me, knows I am not a gouger. I am comfortable with that."
In his first interview since being banned, Cross told of his disbelief at the suspension and how it had affected his family.
Cross also revealed that he had made no attempt to contact his accuser, Parramatta's Glenn Morrison.
"I haven't called him. I don't plan to call him," Cross said. "If he had been injured, I certainly would have got in touch with him.
"I was a bit surprised he came out and said what he did."
The suspension is Cross's first encounter with a judiciary in 19 years of rugby league and rugby union.
"I'd never been involved in anything like this before," he said.
"I was in utter disbelief when they delivered the verdict. Everyone who was involved in the hearing was positive that I had a strong chance of being cleared.
"They showed the footage in very slow motion. I had my hand on his face by accident . . . I know it didn't look good.
"But I didn't try to do anything deliberately at all."
Cross will spend at least some of his time on the sidelines with fellow Rooster Adrian Morley, who is serving a three-week ban for knee-lifting.
"Moz has been great. He has been through this before and has showed me that you just have to make the most of the time," Cross said.
Cross's father, Paul, the former Balmain and Easts winger, has taken the ban harder than anyone.
"It has been tough on my dad and my family. Dad takes it personally," Cross said. "But he and (brother) Clay have been very supportive. My wife (Danielle) has been great. She likes her footy but doesn't get too involved in it. But she has been right by my side.
"And I have been given a lot of support from the club.
"It's always good to know there are people like Nick Politis, Ricky Stuart and Brian Canavan behind you."
Despite the possibility of a berth on the Tri-Nations tour at the end of the year, Cross's focus is far from that.
"I'm not going to worry about that at all," he said.
"My priority is to get back on the field with the Roosters and help them to the semi-finals." The Sunday Telegraph
Poor woman..
