By Nick Creely
There’s something sentimental about family members getting the opportunity to play sport together.
It’s a unique bonding experience that not only brings healthy competition, but it creates memories that can last a lifetime.
The Cross boys- who live in Berwick – are set for long, distinguished football careers, with the Beaconsfield Junior Football Club having the honour of having the talented family in their presence.
An astonishing five brothers, Ben (Under 17), Paddy (Under 15), Dan (Under 13), Matt (Under 11) and James Cross (Under 9), are all playing junior football with the club in 2018, which is special for parents, Nancye and Glenn, to witness each and every week when they run out in Eagle colours.
Adding to this, their step-brother, Lachlan Modica, is one of Beaconsfield’s stars in the seniors, finishing runner-up in the best and fairest last season, but is currently out with an ACL injury suffered against Narre Warren earlier this year.
Lachlan kicked 17 goals last season for the Eagles and will also be an exciting player in the future of the club when he recovers from injury, but for now, can pass on his wisdom to his young siblings who are making their way through the ranks at Holm Park.
The family has an abundance of talent, with their father and grandparents both having long and successful careers and the boys already racking up best and fairest and league best and fairest awards.
Glenn was a Pakenham champion, playing around 200 games for the Lions in his day, and is now a well-known identity in the horse racing community, and his father, Ray played 57 games for St Kilda, playing in the 1965 VFL grand final before missing the 1966 premiership with a knee ligament injury, which hampered his career.
Nancye’s father was a Noble Park champion during the same era, with both grandfathers watching the boys’ games regularly and getting a real kick out of it.
It takes not only dedication from the boys’ parts, but also the parents, who take the kids to a total of eight training sessions per week, while dedicating their entire Sunday to watching them play the game they love.
The Cross boys are one to watch in the coming years, with plenty more medals and achievements on the way, and in the near future, could all be playing in the very same side.
