IF THERE has ever been a player to reach a 100-game milestone through sheer hard work and dedication, it is Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross.

In his career that has spanned almost eight years, the 25-year-old has developed into one of his side's most valuable – and reliable – members.

And, having initially had to fight for the right to do so after being picked up deep in the draft before being relegated to the reserves for almost three years, Cross is simply rapt to finally have his name stencilled on his locker at Whitten Oval.

"It's something I'm very proud of and honoured to achieve with the club I was drafted to originally, and something that at the end of the game on Sunday that I'll be able to celebrate a bit with my family, who are coming down from Albury," he told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"Hopefully I play a lot more than 100 games but to get there is an honour."

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 – who have all already notched 100 matches.

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, Cross said his first 20 games "didn't come very quickly".

"I battled pretty hard down at Werribee for awhile, and was trying to cement a spot back in the side in the early days," he said.

"I just couldn't get into the side, and guys were getting chances before I was. I was just trying to do my best and it was in the back of my mind that if I wasn't getting a game, there might have been someone watching from a different club."

Along with his manager Liam Pickering, Cross seriously considered a change in scenery following the 2003 season after developing "serious doubt" as to whether he'd ever find a spot of his own in the side.

"To get one game was huge for me, and a huge thrill for my family. I still remember that day very clearly," Cross said, recalling the early days.

"In my third year in '03, I played six games and was emergency about 14 times and I was just wondering if I was ever going to break into the side and keep my spot.

"We were looking elsewhere because we just believed I was playing pretty good down at Werribee and I still couldn't get a game in a side that finished on the bottom of the ladder.

"Whether that opportunity was going to come at another club … although I didn't want to leave, I was hell-bent on being an AFL footballer."

Then, trade week came and went and Cross remained a Bulldog after the club decided to offer him a one-year deal. In the following season of 2004, Cross played 14 senior matches and was given some big jobs on players like Simon Black and Shannon Grant.

The year after that, Rodney Eade took over as coach and he ran out for every game.

"Since Rodney's come to the club he's really shown faith in me and what I can do for the side. I'm very thankful to him for that, and since then I've gone from strength to strength, and grown in confidence," Cross said.

"It's come a little bit quicker since, the latter half of the 100. It's taken awhile to get there, but we're there now."

As he looks ahead to running out for his milestone match, Cross couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out, as well as the fact he's recently signed a deal that will keep him a Bulldog until the end of 2011.

"I didn't want to go; I love the club so much and am so indebted to them, and I'm a very loyal person," he said.

"But at that stage in my career, I wasn't getting the opportunities. I wanted to be a footballer who could play that level pretty well.

"I'm so glad things did fall my way in the end and I owe the club a lot. Hopefully I can stay around for awhile yet. I want to be a one club player, and I owe the club a lot and hope I can give that that."