Matthew Boyd had a clear message for departing Club veteran Daniel Cross at the final change yesterday, to embody the courage and tenacity he built a 13-year career on and leave nothing on the field.

Cross responded by finding nine disposals (five contested), three marks and two tackles in the final quarter, helping his side to a 20-point win over Melbourne.

“At three quarter time I just said to Crossy just give us some of your trademark gut running and sitting in the hole and he did it,” Boyd said.

Boyd’s emotional send-off of the Bulldogs number four was met by a different emotion, when also celebrating Daniel Giansiracusa’s 250^th career game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

“We talked about it before the game that it would be good to honour them and play the right way for those two guys - two guys who have given their heart and soul for this footy club,” Boyd said.

“It was Gia’s 250^th today and that is a fantastic achievement and not too many people get to that milestone.

“Crossy’s last game in the red white and blue, it is a really significant day for our footy Club for two guys who mean so much to us.”

Giansiracusa also played an integral role in the Bulldogs eighth win of the season, kicking two goals to end his season tally on 36 – an increase of eight majors from 2012.

“It’s great to finish off with a win, we probably didn’t play the game out how we would have liked to but to get the four points… it was good,” Boyd said.