Hull KR v Castleford Tigers - Turbulent times help keep Ben Crooks grounded

When he arrived as a dashing young centre for Hull FC, winning Super League’s Young Player of the Year in 2013, it seemed the world was at his feet.

However, less than 12 months later and having struggled to earn a place let alone recapture that Dream Team form, the Airlie Birds were happy to let him leave.

Crooks moved to Parramatta Eels but times were tough there, too, where salary cap issues with the Sydney club meant he never got near playing an NRL game.

Still, things improved at hometown Castleford Tigers where he started 28 games in 2016 after signing a three-year deal.

Nevertheless, despite encouraging signs, he was hastily sent on a season-loan to Leigh Centurions the following year to enable Castleford to find cap space for England full-back Zak Hardaker.

It was always expected he would return to Tigers – who romped to the League Leaders’ Shield and a Grand Final appearance in his absence – but that never materialised either.

Instead, Crooks found himself signing for Leigh who had not only been relegated but would finish in financial strife before the end of their first campaign back in the Championship. Given all that, you could imagine him wondering what he had to do to get a change in luck.

Furthermore, the fact he is the son of legendary former Hull, Castleford and Great Britain prop Lee Crooks perhaps only brings more pressure on his shoulders.

However, as he prepares to face Castleford tonight, he maintains the hurdles he has overcome have only made him a better player and there is no sense of injustice.

“It’s one of those; it’s a new challenge isn’t it?” the effusive Crooks told The Yorkshire Post.

“People always ask do I speak to my dad about my game and he’s always said – whenever I have had a setback – it’s just another challenge for me to overcome. He says ‘you know you’re doing all right; overcome it’. It was a setback at Cas’. I enjoyed my time there and unfortunately it fell short.

“But it’s a business. You have to move around sometimes and you can’t afford to sit and sulk or you’ll never get anywhere. You have to keep your head down and work hard. That’s what I’ve done.

“I’ve been back in Super League for a couple of years and I want to stay here now.”

Moreover, Crooks believes he is a more “rounded” player for those turbulent times.

He said: “As much as it has been difficult, it’s been a great learning experience. My game has benefited a lot from that. And, surprisingly, I’m still only 26 so I’d like to think I’ve a fair way to go yet.”

Although Rovers have lost three successive games, Crooks has prospered; he is the competition’s top scorer with six tries, four coming against Wakefield Trinity in their solitary win.

Coach Tony Smith has deployed him as a wing so far which begs the question: should that always have been his spot?

Crooks said: “I’ve obviously played wing before here and there. But rolling it back, when I came through at Hull at centre I scored 20 in 22 games.

“Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes not; I played 28 games at Cas’ yet only scored six. On the flip side of that, on the other side, Denny (Solomona) got the record for most tries – 40.

“It is a new challenge and one I’m enjoying. If I keep playing the way I am and racking them up, that’s an added bonus. But, again, it’s a way of me learning and rounding myself up as a player.”

Castleford have won three from four and their current right centre is Peter Mata’utia.

Crooks said: “I played with Pete at Leigh. He’s a great player. Cas’ will be a good challenge. It’d be nice to get a win and settle everyone down but we just need a performance. Then wins will come.”