Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland in Newcastle on March 31, 2025. Multi-cultural celebration. NRL game away v Bulldogs after bye in round 4.
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00:00Salmoning is obviously the big news for yourself in the last couple of weeks.
00:04You're a one club man, what does that mean to you to be able to stay here and continue playing for the team?
00:10It's awesome, it's a big privilege to be part of this club for another four years.
00:18Very proud, very happy to put pen to paper and bring success to the Knights.
00:24You could be closing in on 100 games this year as well potentially.
00:29That's a massive milestone when you think about where you've come through in the pathways and getting more games and things like that in the last couple of years.
00:37What does that mean to you?
00:39It'll be a big foxteeth, obviously there's still a few games to get there though.
00:44I've circled it in the calendar hopefully to get there this year but it's definitely not a priority of mine for that to happen this year.
00:53My main focus is winning games and as long as I'm part of this team that's my main focus.
00:58It's not about the amount of games I play, it's more the wins I get.
01:02Although that's a pretty special milestone, it's definitely not in the forefront of my mind at the moment.
01:08When you think back to when you first started, when you debuted, in the positions you've had, filling in and now making that hooker role your own.
01:18What does that mean being able to cement your place in the team?
01:25It's pretty good. Obviously my role in the team is over the past, however long I've been playing here is the utility role.
01:33I still pride myself on being able to play a number of positions but it's been really nice to cement down and lock down the nine and fully focus on that.
01:42Obviously during a game I've been able to play the lock and stuff as well.
01:47For me it's really nice to finally get a starting spot and be able to train and play in the one position and put all my energy towards that.
01:56In saying that, if touch woody things don't go to clean in a game I can fill in a number of roles which is also what I hang my hat on as well.
02:06Changing tack a little bit, you were able to represent New Zealand last year which was obviously a massive thing for yourself.
02:14Being able to do that tonight on a night like Multicultural Night, where does your heritage meet yourself and being able to pull on that jersey last year?
02:25It was one of the best things that's happened to me as a footy player and as a person to play for Fans Ed.
02:32Tonight's a great night for the club. It's not just about me, it's about everyone and people representing where they're from.
02:39Matt Croker's mum's from Chile so I think stuff like that and stories like that is pretty cool.
02:45Tonight we get to celebrate that which I doubt many clubs do it as good as us.
02:49There'll be over 100 people here celebrating everyone's individual culture and I think that's cool.
02:55As far as myself, I've got the Kiwi background so I'll be able to express that tonight along with the other Kiwi boys.
03:02It's a great night and any time I can represent New Zealand I will do so with pride.
03:09You said Matt's mum's from Chile. Anybody else got some good dishes on offer that you're keen to try tonight?
03:15I think the English boys might be bringing in scones so I'm pretty keen for that and a cup of tea.
03:21I think Jaco Hastings' partner's cooking though so I know the homemade which will be lovely.
03:27I'll end the summer on a tongan. All the food, we have a really good feed at the end of the night and it's weighing a bit heavy tomorrow but it's all worth it.
03:36Obviously as you announced your re-signing, Jaden announced that he was moving on.
03:43I know us and the media have been painting it as a bit of a fight for the number 9 for a couple of years.
03:48What have you guys been talking about as passing the baton to you as the club's main 9?
03:55Me and Brad have got a really good relationship. I think the media does paint me very similar a lot of the time.
04:01At the end of the day we wear the same jersey and we're trying to achieve the same goals.
04:06Although it is kind of hard to not read into that sort of stuff as in see the headlines of me versus him.
04:14We don't see it that way at all. We've got a really good combination, a really good relationship.
04:19This year it's obviously, who's not to say girls can start a game too and we share that role.
04:25For us to win games and whatever that looks like this year, both of us are happy to do.
04:30I'm really happy for Brails. I think he's done so much for his club and more importantly for myself.
04:38He's done so much for me. When he was injured and I got thrown into the 9 without playing many games,
04:42he was a massive reason why I had a good run there.
04:46I owe a lot to Brails and it would be sad to see him go but I'm really happy for him and Will.
04:51He's got a young kid on the way too. It's all meant to happen and how it's meant to happen and I'm really happy for him.
04:58What do you think is the number one thing you've learned from him game wise?
05:01Game management is a big quality of Brails. He understands the game very well. He's very smart.
05:06He'll be the first to say he's not the biggest and strongest guy but neither am I.
05:10I've been able to learn lots of tricks off him on how to conserve your energy and use it properly.
05:15Game management is a big thing. He's obviously played a lot of games and the way he sees the game.
05:20He's just very smart so I've just been picking his brain. I'm happy to say that when he leaves I've taken a lot of tricks off him.
05:26While I imagine it's somewhat of a big rocker tip for you to lock it down a little bit more.
05:31There is pressure coming up through the young ones in cup and the grades.
05:35What can you say about some of the other defending halves that you've been working with and hoping that they don't outdo you as well?
05:41Matty Arthur has been exceptional for us in the pre-season.
05:45I haven't been able to see him play in a cup this year but from all reports he's going really good.
05:50I think that's a sign of a good club when you've got depth and people pushing each other.
05:55I guess that's essentially what I've done. Pushing for spots in multiple jerseys.
06:02I expect no different from the young fellas coming up. I love it.
06:06I think it's good for everyone. It's good for him and it's great for me to have pressure.
06:10I'm really excited for those young boys, especially Matty Arthur.
06:15I think it was about 18 months ago we were having a chat and you said locking down number 9 was your number 1 goal.
06:21What's your new number 1 goal?
06:23Winning a comp. I guess as I get older it's more of a focus for me.
06:30It's not just locking down a position, it's winning in that position and seeing success.
06:36I'm not going to shy away from my goals and everyone knows that's what I want to do is win a comp.
06:41I know everyone in these four walls wants to do the same.
06:45I'm happy to say publicly that's exactly what I want to do and it's what I plan to do.
06:50I'll be putting all my eggs in one basket to hold the trophy up.
06:53Dogs, 4 from 4, only side. What do you feel is key to getting the points against them this weekend?
07:02They're a great team. We obviously undefeated as you said.
07:06I watched them on the weekend against the Sharks and I think they're a great team.
07:13I'm not going to say what our plan is in the media.
07:15I know they like to listen and pick some things up that we say and use it for their motivation.
07:20I won't give away too much but we're going to train really hard this weekend and go and put our best foot forward.
07:28Squad news today, Will Price departing, obviously part of the NRL players ins and outs.
07:34Just a thought on that and his time here at the Knights.
07:38I'm really proud of Price. I think he came here obviously very young two years ago.
07:43It would have been very scary for him leaving his home and his family and travelling around the other side of the world
07:49and playing in the toughest competition in the world I believe.
07:52Obviously he's got a chance to go back home and reconnect with his family.
07:56I don't blame him at all. He's done a fantastic job here.
08:00When he got game time he was unbelievable and played exceptional.
08:06More importantly he's just a great guy. I'm going to miss him as a person around the club.
08:10I'm sure I'll catch up with him in the future but for now I'm just very happy for him and excited to see him thrive over there.
08:16The junior boys brought home the Andrew Johns Cup on the weekend.
08:20It's a nice one to have here at Knights HQ.
08:23It's always good to see the juniors have success.
08:25Very proud history of the juniors and always very strong teams.
08:29To see them do well and get the trophies is really cool.
08:34I texted a few of their boys before the game and gave them a bit of motivation and put a bit of pressure on them
08:39to make sure they get the trophies.
08:41I'm glad they did that. It was cool to see.
08:43So you've had a bit of interaction with that squad?
08:46Yeah a little bit. I've got a family friend, Jack D'Arby, who's in there.
08:50I gave him a text. We're a big family club. Everyone knows everyone.
08:56It's good to see them winning.
08:59Good to see them winning.