Veteran ABC sports presenter and journalist Neil Cross has quit the ABC after 27 years
One of the state’s best-known sports broadcasters has pulled the pin after almost three decades – but he’s “not finished yet”.
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Veteran ABC sports presenter and journalist Neil Cross has quietly departed the station after almost 30 years.
The highly-regarded broadcaster handed in his resignation about three weeks ago, saying he felt the “time was right”.
“I was ready to go – that’s the bottom line,” he told The Advertiser.
“The fact is you do get a little bit tired of the grind of working in a newsroom.
“I’ve had a good ride, I’ve enjoyed it and had some great colleagues.
“There’s been a lot of enjoyable times … but at the end of the day, my heart is in broadcasting sport.”
Cross, 60, started at the ABC in January 1998, and worked as the station’s TV sports presenter and journalist for 22 years, also calling AFL, soccer and basketball, among a range of sports, on ABC Grandstand radio.
He was also host and lead commentator on the ABC’s coverage of the SANFL for 13 years.
Most recently, Cross had been working as a story producer in the newsroom.
“Everybody knows when it’s their time. As the footballers say, when you start thinking about it, you know it’s probably the right time,” he said.
Starting his career in afternoon newspapers, Cross also spent time as a sports journalist with The Advertiser and at Channel 10.
He said covering AFL Grand Finals and Sir Donald Bradman’s funeral in 2001 were among his most memorable moments in the industry.
Cross said he’s now looking to continue his career in sports broadcasting.
“I’m not finished, I’m looking for some projects around sport,” he said.
“Broadcasting is something that I really passionately enjoy – and the thing I enjoy most is calling sport.
“I’ll see what’s out there.”
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