The Raiders had an impressive win over Cronulla on Saturday in the first NRL trial of the season at Seiffert Oval.

Cross started in the centres before moving to the backline where he managed to cross for a try in the second half.

This pre-season the 23-year-old must either impress new Raiders coach David Furner, or face returning to Brisbane for the second year to play for feeder club Souths Logan.

It is not the first time Cross has trained with the Raiders first grade squad, having played three games for the side during the 2007 season.

Currently the utility is just hoping he has done enough work to remain part of the squad in Canberra.

“I didn’t mind Brisbane, I bought a house up there,” Cross said.

“I would just much rather be here with the first grade squad in Canberra.”

The Raiders have been training full-time six days a week and in a recent interview Cross said a work shirt in his cupboard encouraged him to train harder to avoid going back to his job as an electrician in Brisbane.

He also admitted he had initially been disappointed when sent to Souths Logan last season, just months after he had made his NRL debut. But he said the move had helped improve his football.

For now Cross and his team -mates just have to wait for the announcement of the squad, but in the meantime they are training for a camp in Brisbane at the end of February where they will play the Broncos and Bulldogs.

“They haven’t told us whether we are a good chance of staying yet or not,” Cross said.

“I’m here with one of my team-mates from Souths (Logan) Daniel Joyce and neither of us have been told much at all.”

Cross said the Raiders were currently lacking a utility and that is what he is going hard for.

“I’m pretty happy with how I have been going, but I guess I will just have to wait and see.”