Deon Cross feeling at home at centre with Salford
Photo courtesy of Steve McCormick
Deon Cross says he feels more at home at centre than his original position of winger at Salford Red Devils.
The 25-year-old joined the Super League side from Widnes on an initial one-year deal ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Injuries to Dan Sarginson and Kallum Watkins has seen Paul Rowley utilise the former Championship winger in the centre position, an opportunity he has taken with both hands.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he told Love Rugby League.
“I feel more of a centre now than I do as a winger.
“I got thrown in the deep end in pre-season. We had a training session against Widnes and Dan Sarginson had Covid, so I got chucked in the deep end and played centre and I’ve never looked back since.”
Asked if he preferred the position, Cross replied: “I do actually. You get your hands on the ball a bit more and create them chances for your winger.
“I’ve got a great winger in Ken Sio outside me who is in try-scoring form at the moment and makes my life easier.”
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A junior at St Helens, Cross was released and returned to the community game with Blackbrook as a youngster. He played three years at open age level before being handed his first chance with Rochdale in 2018.
He made his first Hornets appearance against Warrington, playing in the centres. Cross then enjoyed a stint with Barrow in 2019 before moving to Widnes, where he played for two seasons.
Cross completed a childhood dream, making his Super League debut in the opening round against Castleford.
He has appeared in all-but-one of Salford’s fixtures so far this season, scoring his first try at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Cross said: “I remember the first game against Castleford and came out and you couldn’t see a space in the crowd.
“The atmosphere was hostile as the away team. I loved every minute of it.”
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