Family matters as Cross eyes UK
BY ROBERT DILLON
08 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM
AS speculation mounted that he was set to join English club Salford, rugged prop Ben Cross said yesterday he would have no qualms about leaving the Newcastle Knights if he felt that was the best move for his career and his family.
Off contract at the end of the season, the 2008 NSW Origin representative said he was "still weighing up a few options . . . pretty much at this stage anything is possible".
He said he felt settled after three years with the Knights but knew from his time with Canberra and Melbourne that he could adapt to new surrounds.
"The lifestyle [in Newcastle] has been great for my family but it's probably looking like the last contract I'll be signing," the 31-year-old said.
"We'd love to stay, obviously. But we've had to pack up and move previously and we've always adapted to where we've moved to.
"I've got no worries about having to move again with the family, and they're fully supportive.
"I've made some good friends here through footy and it would be sad to leave, but we can always come back if that's the case."
Cross said he was interested in playing overseas and felt capable of continuing for another two or three years.
Hindered by a succession of serious injuries in his first two seasons with the Knights, including a twice-broken thumb and a ruptured biceps, the 31-year-old has shrugged off concerns about his durability by appearing in 14 of Newcastle's 15 games this year.
And he was confident his frustrating time on the sidelines during 2008 and 2009 would help extend his career.
"Missing out with injury has actually worked in my favour, because when you're not playing, you're not getting the wear and tear on your body," Cross said.
"The injuries I've had weren't ones that would stop me from running or playing footy. Touch wood, I haven't had any major knee concerns or shoulders that can hinder your performances. A couple of broken thumbs and a torn biceps . . . it's not good from the Knights' point of view, but from my body's point of view, it's provided a bit of relief from the way I play the game."
Volatile North Queensland forward Luke O'Donnell suggested in yesterday's edition of Rugby League Week that he would consider joining his younger brother Kyle at the Knights next season.
Kyle, a member of Cronulla's under 20s, has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle starting next season.
"I've missed seeing my brother grow up as he was only 13 when I moved up here and now he's a man," Luke O'Donnell told the magazine.
"Kyle's a very talented player in his own right and I'd love to be around him and help him out because I feel I've missed out on some of the best parts of his life already."
The Newcastle Herald understands that the Knights' talks with O'Donnell's management have not progressed past the preliminary stage.
In last night's Origin curtain-raiser, Knights winger Kevin Naiqama scored the game-breaking try as NSW Residents beat their Queensland counterparts 28-20.
