A homecoming for the Bloomfield Tigers junior, Crossman will join the two blues for the 2014 Group 10 season following a three-year absence from the game spent finishing his environmental science degree.

Crossman said he was playing this season for the right reasons, and was determined to help his junior club end CYMS’ run at Group 10 dominance.

“I’d love to see Orange win another Group 10 premiership, just in different colours,” Crossman said.

Debuting with the Penrith Panthers in 2004, Crossman played two years at the foot of the mountains before making the move to the Melbourne Storm in 2006.

He played two years in Melbourne - he was named as 18th man in the club’s 2007 grand final win over Manly - before landing in the English Super League with the Hull Kingston Rovers for the 2008 season.

Returning home, Crossman then played the 2009 and 2010 NRL seasons with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

In all Crossman played 106 first grade NRL games, experience the two blues are banking on rubbing off on both last year’s runners-up under 18s squad and the premiership winning Bloomfield under 16s juniors progressing into the Hawks senior ranks.

Crossman put pen to paper with the two blues on Thursday and Hawks treasurer Darrel Rosser said despite the former NRL player’s three-year absence from the game, he was confident Crossman’s impact would be immense. 

“He’s in good condition and still believes he has something to offer and plenty of good football in front of him,” Rosser said.

“He’d love nothing more than to win a premiership with his old club.”

Crossman will be formally introduced to teammates when Hawks begin pre-season training at CSU Orange on Monday night from 6pm.

While a new face to most at the club, Crossman has remained close friends with some of the senior statesmen including back-rower Brenton Winnell.

“He has a couple of friends that play. Brenton was part of the club last year ... Garrett is back in town, he’ll probably settle here and he’s looking forward to playing for Hawks,” Rosser said.