A Unique Connection
It’s long been a match made in heaven for the Newcastle Knights – but now NRL star Phoenix Crossland has given fans rare insight into his largely private relationship with the daughter of club royalty. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Crossland, now 25, revealed he’d met ex-Knight Bill Peden’s daughter Mia when the pair were in high school, going on to date her in later years.
But according to the footy star, he’d previously been unaware of Mia’s legendary Knights lineage. “One day Mia said, ‘My dad played for the Knights’. So I went and googled him and saw that he’d actually won two competitions. I was a bit shocked,” Crossland told The Telegraph. “I’m not lying – I didn’t know who he was when I first met Mia when I was in high school. I wasn’t a Knights fan growing up.”
The combined lock and hooker, who is originally from New Zealand, admitted he’d grown up as a loud and proud St. George Illawarra Dragons supporter. However, that changed for the player as he signed onto the Knights in 2019, and got to know the Peden family on a more intimate level.
“Even now when we go out to dinner he still gets recognised around town,” Crossland said of his partner’s famous father. “I never got to watch him play, but I hear all the stories about how tough he was.”
He revealed that he’d felt his own experiences within the NRL club would never stack up to Peden’s, until a recent in-game tousle resulted in a gnarly injury for the footy player. Crosslands sustained a serious nose break during his side’s Round 4 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs in March.
“Now that I have a broken nose, and I broke my finger in Las Vegas, I can start telling my own war stories at dinner. I can feel more like a tough footy player around him,” he joked.
Learning from a Legend
Speaking about the family dynamic at play amongst the Pedens, Crossland revealed he’d gotten to learn a lot more about Bill and what he stood for over time. “He was a great leader when he was playing. I’m very lucky to have him around. He never tries to get involved or bombard me with advice, he understands there are opinions everywhere,” he said.
“But he is definitely someone there that I do lean on when I need to. He’s someone I try to make proud.” Peden originally played for the Knights side in the 1990s and 2000s, and is still a recognisable name amongst Newcastle fans to this day.
A Growing Bond
Crossland’s relationship with Mia has deepened over the years, and he’s come to appreciate the legacy that her father has left behind. “I’ve learned so much from Bill. He’s a real mentor to me, even though he doesn’t push me too hard. He knows when to step back and let me find my own way,” he added.
This bond has also helped Crossland navigate the challenges of being a professional athlete. “There are times when it’s tough, especially when you’re dealing with injuries or pressure from the media. But having someone like Bill around gives me a sense of stability,” he explained.
As Crossland continues to build his career with the Knights, he’s also working on building a life with Mia and their future together. “We’re both really focused on making the most of our time together. It’s important to have a strong support system, and I feel lucky to have that with my family and my partner,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With his career on the rise and his personal life blossoming, Crossland is looking forward to what the future holds. “I want to keep pushing myself as a player and as a person. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people who have supported me along the way,” he concluded.
As he continues to grow both on and off the field, one thing is clear – Phoenix Crossland is not just a rising star in the NRL, but also a man with a deep appreciation for the legacy he’s now part of.
