Already frequently compared to Bulldogs' great Scott West, Cross concedes he has always modelled himself on his champion teammate, who is eight years his senior.
With West entering the twilight years of his career, Cross believes the gap between the two is beginning to close, and he has clear aspirations of adopting West's role once the veteran Bulldog calls it quits.
"I certainly look up to him as a player and his resilience in that he doesn't miss a week or a beat at training," Cross told westernbulldogs.com.au
"He really does amaze me how he gets up every week and performs. He gets tagged so heavily each week, and it really is great for me to model myself that way.
"We're different personalities in a way. He's very strong-minded and more outspoken, whereas I keep to myself more.
"I'm trying to come out of myself a bit more, but he's just a great leader and in that aspect as well, I can take a leaf out of his book and try and improve on those skills. He's been great for me, and great for my learning, and I've been lucky to be at the same club as someone like that."
Cross sees himself taking on West's midfield-leadership role when the changing of the guard occurs at Whitten Oval, and hopes his own communication skills continue to develop in the coming years.
"I think it just comes with confidence. He can't go on forever, so someone does need to step into his shoes eventually and hopefully I can do that. I'm gaining a lot of confidence week to week, year to year, in myself and my ability," he said.
"There are certain things that I can't do, but I think there is a lot of good things that I could do that he can do.
"I'd love to be as good a player as he's been. He's a seven-time best-and-fairest winner, it's amazing. If I even won one, it would be a massive achievement.
"Maybe the gap is closing, but time will tell."
While Cross is still unsure if captaincy is something he would like to serious contemplate, he is enjoying the responsibility his role in the leadership group gives him.
"There's so many areas I need to improve on if I wanted to be a captain of the side," he said.
"I think leading by example is one thing I really have in my corner, but communication and those sorts of things I'm building up on at the moment.
"I was quite poor when I got here in those areas, being a quiet country boy, and I didn't say much and just wanted to get my business done and let the older guys take care of it.
"Now, I'm starting to become an older guy and I have to start taking responsibility in doing those sorts of things, and voicing my opinion and encouraging the young guys.
"It would be a great honour to be a captain of an AFL club. Who wouldn't want to be? But whether I've got those qualities, time will tell."
As a high-possession winner – he believes he may have run more than 20km in a match last season – Cross requires a high fitness base to continue to run out games strongly.
It's just as well he prides himself on his endurance and enjoys getting the best out of himself and keeping his body in prime condition.
"I'm doing an exercise science degree at ACU, and it's something I'm really interested in doing after football as well," Cross said.
"The fitness side of things and the human body really interests me, so personally I like to push the boundaries. I'm certainly not the quickest bloke going around, but endurance is one of my keys."I like to use it on the ground. My teammates think that I love pre-season, and it is very tough, but I don't mind getting out … blood, sweat and tears is always good."
Cross is in his sixth year of study, as the demands of AFL football have meant he has been restricted to part-time attendance, and is set to finish his degree at the end of next year.
Having finished the core components of the course, Cross must now negotiate the electives before he is handed the degree.
"I'm in there two days a week at the moment, and it's been something good. You'd like to come home after training and relax sometimes, but it gives me an outlet to take my mind of things," he said.
"It's always good to have something to fall back on when I've finished footy, and something to focus my mind on.
"I won't get depressed when I finish football as I'll have something to go on to, and hopefully I'll stay in football as well through that. It's definitely been a positive in my life."
With nutrition, teaching, biomechanics and motor development all areas that can be specialised in once the degree is complete, Cross can see himself heading down a different path – one that will possibly lead him back to footy.
"The exercise physiology is something that interests me, about how the body works during exercise," he said.
"I think that's the path I want to go down, I haven't decided fully yet and I'll just get the course done and will worry about it then.
"It's great to know what I'll be doing for the next two years, outside of footy."
He said a fitness-conscience example set by his mum and dad, followed by an active interest in sports, set up his desire to study what makes the human body tick.
He also enjoys the practical side of his degree, and likes to see what exercise techniques are the most beneficial when working on his fitness at the club.
"I don't know how I became interested in it. I think when I was little, I wanted to become a carpenter," he laughed.
"Just being involved in lots of sport when I was younger, and my parents were very fit people and were right into nutrition, gave me a good base.
"I got into athletics at a young age, and I think looking after my body from then and wanting to get the best out of myself made it grow from there.
"It comes easy to me because I'm able to practice it at the footy club and see how things work."
