Knights winger Nathan Ross told by Wayne Bennett he wouldn’t make it in the NRL

NATHAN Ross couldn’t convince Wayne Bennett and left Nathan Brown wavering for months about his worth as a NRL player.

Nathan Ross celebrates scoring a try and sealing the win against the Titans.

NATHAN Ross couldn’t convince Wayne Bennett and left Nathan Brown wavering for months about his worth as a NRL player.

But he never doubted himself.

Which goes a long way to explaining why this late-blooming winger is now one of the most talked about personalities in the premiership.

Four tries in two matches to start the season including the match-sealer in the drought-breaking win over the Titans on Saturday proves this 28 year old’s breakout season in 2016 was no flash in the pan.

“I’m just working as hard as a can to try and improve each game, ”Ross says.

“Wayne told me I wouldn’t make it as an NRL player a few years back and it took me a while to win Browny over last season.

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Nathan Ross celebrates scoring a try and sealing the win against the Titans.

“But all that did was make me want it more. Make me hungrier.

“It has brought the best out in me but there is still more there. I’ve got more to show and like the rest of the boys here at the Knights, it’s all about passion and wanting to work hard for each other.”

Ross says the feeling in the Knights camp, even before the Titans win, has been “chalk and cheese” compared to last year.

“There is a totally different feel — it’s the tightest knit group of players we have had since I’ve been here,” he said.

“Everyone is in it together — there are no groups within the playing group and we do everything together. I can’t say that has been the case in my experience in the past.”

As for his own goals this season, Ross has set his sights on a City Origin representative jumper.

“I want to play in that final Country-City Origin game in Mudgee but to have any chance, I know I have to take my game to another level and keep being consistent.”

Brown says he can fault his winger’s start to the season.

“To see him build on the back of a good end to the year last year where he was very consistent and got a new contract and has tried hard to improve, is a credit to him,” Brown said.

Originally published as Knights winger Nathan Ross told by Wayne Bennett he wouldn’t make it in the NRL