Daniel Cross - Courageous and Underrated | Thebigtip

Daniel Cross was picked up at number fifty six in the 2000 pre-season National Draft by the Western Bulldogs. Initially from New South Wales, he played junior footy for Murray in Albury, Adelaide. He didn’t have the best of starts to his new life down at the Western Bulldogs.

He was close to moving clubs at the end of season 2003, having only managed 10 games over 3 years in a side that was struggling to say the least. Unsure of his playing future with the Bulldogs, Cross and his manager began looking elsewhere. Nothing eventuated, and looking back from a Western Bulldogs point of view, this was a fortunate outcome.

He decided to stay at the club for the 2004 season. He only managed to play two out of the first ten games of the ’04 season, but then played the final twelve games. He was a solid performer throughout the season, and earnt himself a Rising Star Nomination. The following year Cross was averaging more than twenty possessions a game. This was a standout season for him, finishing with a total of 563 disposals for the home and away season. From then on, he became a regular in the Bulldogs line-up.

Daniel Cross is now seen as a hard working, prolific ball winner for the Western Bulldogs who puts his body on the line in every contest he enters into. Cross has reached a level of achievement rated highly by all Western Bulldogs staff and supporters. Not only did he show much perseverance and self-belief, he has also shown himself to be one of the competition's elite midfielders.

With the Bulldogs on the way up the ladder, Cross’s statistics and influence skyrocketed. In Round One of the 2007 season, he racked up a hard-earned thirty seven possessions. Yet, he was continually overlooked in the Brownlow voting.

During the 2008 season, star midfielder Scott West retired after a series of injuries. Cross made the most of this opportunity. He soon reached his hundredth game milestone during Round Fifteen that year.

At the end of the ’08 season, Cross had achieved many things and was the deserving winner of the Western Bulldog’s Charles Sutton Best & Fairest award. This was an astonishing effort, as he took it ahead of that year's Brownlow Medallist, Adam Cooney. Cross then took the Bruce Wilkinson award, which was awarded to the Best Player, as voted by the trainers. But what was especially notable, was Cross winning the Scott West award. This award is handed out for bravery and courage – exactly what Scott West possessed. Daniel Cross not only took West’s place in the midfield with ease, but showed just how courageous he was and how far he was prepared to go for his team.

Week in and out, I watch the Bulldogs play, and whilst they are an evenly spread side with so much talent but no real superstar, Daniel Cross stands out. He definitely doesn’t have the best skills or flair in the league, but what he does possess is real bravery; bravery that any football fan would acknowledge. The way he attacks every contest is breath taking. Eyes only for the ball. Every time. He attacks the ball, and the game itself with no regard for his own safety. Daniel Cross is an extremely remarkable player.

Every time the ball is in dispute and there to be won, Daniel Cross is there. It's heart stopping to see him dive for the ball and quickly dish off a handball to one of the Bulldog’s many runners. Then instantly, he gets straight back up and supports his team mates in all ways. Not once have I see him not attack a contest or shy away from contact. Hard Ball Gets are one of the aspects of the game that clubs really focus on. They are the 50-50 situations that can cost or win a game. That is why Daniel Cross’ courage, especially in contested situations is vital to the Western Bulldogs.

Whilst there are guys out there who are equally as brave, Cross has one thing on the majority of them - he’s not that big. Jonathan Brown is seen as one of the most courageous of the game, but he stands at 195cm, and weighs 104kg. Cross is 187cm tall, and weighs a mere 86kg.

Brad Johnson, Captain of the Western Bulldogs, was extremely complimentary of his team mate, commenting:

"His (Daniel Cross) determination and drive is just massive and that's why he's become one of the elite midfielders in the competition". (2008)

Cross is not a player who looks for accolades or praise. He is the ultimate team player, giving everything in the drive for that elusive premiership. Whilst the term ‘underrated’ is thrown around AFL footy so often, like many other clichés - Daniel Cross really is just that. Playing in the midfield alongside two fine players in Adam

Cooney and Matthew Boyd, would make it easy to fly under the radar. But Cross isn’t just making up the 3^rd bloke in the midfield trio. He adds an edge to the Bulldog’s midfield. The Western Bulldogs certainly acknowledge just how important and successful he is, but now it’s time for wider praise.

Acts of courage on the football field are invaluable. That hundred metre run-down tackle, or that courageous mark taken, backing into a pack, are acts that can lifts team in a way nothing else can. Team mates are inspired by those things, as are supporters.

Not only is Daniel Cross an elite ball-winning midfielder who racks up 30 possessions most weeks, but he his courage is undeniable, and that’s what makes him such an asset to the Western Bulldogs, and AFL in general.

Critics can say all they like about how AFL has become soft, but all they have to do is watch Daniel Cross play – and see modern footy is harder than ever.