Serious question for you lads,

What is the story about Ben Cross at Leeds?, it just seems strange he was only with you a short time, if it's already been discussed I apologise,but can someone let me know whats gone on.

I've also been told Leeds wouldn't give him a reference, so it does make you wonder what actually went on during his time here.

Cheers for that Andy, I could be completely wrong, but, I get the impression that McDermott likes to be the biggest bloke in the dressing room.

I think you are correct Carmont.

Just didn't work out for him IMHO. Saw him at Wakey and he must have nearly knocked himself out 3 times with his tackling 'technique'. He spent half the game staggering about. Big soft lad!

Seemed to be a very average prop in a struggling side when fans expected a big tough Aussie to rattle other front rows. If we had been putting in some confident performances he might have gone ok but from what I saw he was a pudding.

He was in and out of the team seemed to be trying too hard imo and conceded daft penalties.
Also for some reason kirke impressed our esteemed coaches and with Peacock coming back to fitness quicker than expected ,Baileys form he was deemed surplus to requirements with the the lasting impression of Meh from locals.

The fact that only Mr Betts of the Superleague coaches saw fit to sign him for 2012 should tell you what the rest of the clubs think of him.

Statistically our worst prop

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Haha my 10yr old a better prop and SHE has never picked up a ball in her life!!!!!!

In the event of repeated bullying and harassment, it's not uncommon during disputes of such nature for the employer to internally settle said dispute with employee without recourse to outside mediation, particularly when it involves a healthy financial settlement on one side and an agreement to maintain silence on the matter by the other side.

if i remember right didnt mcdermott mention something about cross not being his signing in the first place so imo he never seemed to be in the coaches gameplan right from the starting point

If Wigan required a reference perhaps they could have consulted one of his former coaches from the NRL, they'd have more idea than anyone currently running the team at Leeds. The official line coming out of Headingley went something like this: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... _1_3483274 Quote ="Coach McDermott"Ben Cross has been a pleasure to coach. At no stage has the situation of him not playing been a problem on a professional level. His conduct and the way he has carried himself is something he should be proud of.'" Quote ="CEO Hetherington"He has been a model professional. I empathise with his frustration, which has been caused in part by Jamie Peacock’s earlier than expected return to the first team and the outstanding form of some of our other front-row forwards. Ben doesn’t have youth on his side and he needs to be playing, so we will allow him to move on and fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.'"

If Wigan required a reference perhaps they could have consulted one of his former coaches from the NRL, they'd have more idea than anyone currently running the team at Leeds. The official line coming out of Headingley went something like this: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... _1_3483274 Quote ="Coach McDermott"Ben Cross has been a pleasure to coach. At no stage has the situation of him not playing been a problem on a professional level. His conduct and the way he has carried himself is something he should be proud of.'" Quote ="CEO Hetherington"He has been a model professional. I empathise with his frustration, which has been caused in part by Jamie Peacock’s earlier than expected return to the first team and the outstanding form of some of our other front-row forwards. Ben doesn’t have youth on his side and he needs to be playing, so we will allow him to move on and fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.'"

Whatever, Ben Cross is going to Wembley with Wigan.

He must be chuffed to bits that McDermott left him out for the Crusaders tie now.

Watch Cross from last week's game against Hull. Came off the bench and gave away three or four penalties in a row. He wasn't getting selected because he was doing likewise for us. Gave away a number of penalties whilst we were in posession. I think he didn't want to hang about if not in the team so asked for a release.

Despite all that I'm really surprise someone, say, Jimmy Lowes wouldn't sort out a reference for him.

Only Betts? There's only so much of Cross to go around - in just over a year he'll have played for 3 SL clubs!

we signed him knowing he was old, banged up and only a short stint prop. So having ruled that our I imagined we realsed him for off the field issues.

Good for him getting a game at Wembley I say. At Leeds he was asked to be something he's never been - pack leader in the absence of Peacock. At Wigan he's one of the rotation forwards which is exactly the role he's played before.

He hasn't yet although he may well do. Wasn't his selection yesterday (Saturday) due to Hock carrying an injury?

The final bench spot was between Cross and Prescott and I'm assuming Cross got the nod because Prescott is still troubled by a hamstring injury. If Prescott is fit I doubt Cross will get near a place in the final. Hock is struggling with the pace of big games and by all accounts McGuire doesn't think he's anywhere near good enough defensively at the moment to be risked against better teams. I expect both Cross and Hock to be used to give some of the forwards a rest between the big games coming up.

Hock or Paul P will get the nod I presume.

Cross played one stint against Saints and in that stint didn't offer much and didn't look to cart the ball up. He hasn't given the coach any dilema on selection as yet. I think he was the only player not to break sweat.