After eight years with CSU, Sterling Ross will make the move to university rivals Ag College.
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The imposing number eight has shocked Reddies with his departure to their biggest rivals.
Ross, who only played rugby union part time last season, said he had thought about leaving Reddies in previous seasons and decided the time is right.
“It’s a new challenge,” Ross said. “I had AFL last year and it will be good to go to a new club and have a fresh start.”
Ross played one season with Wagga City before joining Reddies but thought he would be more comfortable in the Aggies environment.
“They are familiar enough with the same home ground and everything," he said.
“The seem pretty welcoming which has been good.”
The 28-year-old will be an ideal replacement for outgoing Aggies captain Ben Leaper.
Leaper returned to the club last season but will return to Queanbeyan.
It will be a big loss to the club however coach Nick McCarthy was move than happy to welcome the representative forward into the fold.
“It’s a very good acquisition,” McCarthy said.
“He will help fill the void of Ben Leaper’s absence
“We lose one of the best (number) eights in the competition and pick one of the best ball carriers in the competition and quite a big body into our forward pack.”
Leaper’s departure was one of the biggest incentives for Ross to join Ag College.
“It all slotted in real well,” Ross said.
“Nick (McCarthy) was talking about Leaper moving on, so it opened a pretty big door for me to go in there so it is pretty good.
Ag College have also lost the services of former co-coach Stu Garrett, with Chris Leaper also indicating he won’t be at the club for 2016.
Their departures also weaken Aggies’ forward pack but McCarthy believes he has the depth to cover the changes.
“We used about 16 different forwards last year and all of them did a job,” he said.
McCarthy said the move of Ross will only strengthen the cross university rivalry between the two clubs, but it is hardly unprecedented.
“We have had a few players come over to us from CSU in the past and we’ve welcomed them all with open arms,” McCarthy said.
“We will welcome him as well into our football club."
Ross played in a Northern Riverina premiership with Ungarie last year as well enjoying first grade grand final success with CSU and linking with West Wyalong in Group 20 and is yet to work out just how much football he will play in 2016.
“I don’t really want to lock anything in just yet but I would say league and union,” he said.
