Cross, now considered to be one of the league’s best midfielders won the medal count with 191 votes above recently crowned Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney who polled 167 votes and Matthew Boyd who was third with 163 votes.
The win tops off a good year for the youngster who has gone from a fill-in at the Bulldogs to a certain starter and was named in the Dream Team squad for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match, just missing out on the final team list.
Cross was picked up by the Bulldogs as a bottom-age player with pick No.56 in the 2000 NAB AFL Draft. His contemporaries from that class include players like Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Alan Didak, Shaun Burgoyne, Daniel Kerr, Kane Cornes and Jamie Charman.
Having initially struggled for a position in the Dogs' midfield with the likes of Scott West, Mitch Hahn and Paul Dimattina running through the middle, his workrate and dedication have now seen him rise to one of the Club’s great players.
Captain Brad Johnson said "When he first started you weren't sure whether he would make it. He had to do a lot of work on his skills," Johnson said.
"His determination and drive is just massive and that's why he's become one of the elite midfielders in the competition because of the way he prepares and developed himself as a player.
"He'll certainly play 200 for this club and will be up there as one of our best midfielders and in the league as well. I'm glad he didn't leave. The opportunity at the start was tough for him and that's why he was super motivated and keen to cement his spot in the side. His workrate's enormous and he is getting the rewards for that now which is great to see."
Other Award Winners announced at the Charles Sutton Medal night were:
Scott West Most Courageous Player: Daniel Cross
Best First Year Player: Callan Ward
Most Promising Player: Jarrod Harbrow
Match Committee Award: Dale Morris
Community Award: Shaun Higgins
Bruce Wilkinson Award (Trainers): Daniel Cross
The final vote count for the Charles Sutton Medal (top ten players):
1. Daniel Cross 191
2. Adam Cooney 167
3. Matthew Boyd 163
4. Dale Morris 149
5. Daniel Giansiracusa 132
6. Jason Akermanis 130
7. Robert Murphy 129
8. Ryan Hargrave 119
9. Ryan Griffen 117
10. Lindsay Gilbee 111
