HARD-WORKING Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross has paid tribute to the faith shown in him by senior coach Rodney Eade ahead of his 150th game against Fremantle this weekend.
Cross, who’ll become a life member of the club for achieving the milestone, admits that he’s proud to reach 150 games after struggling in the early years of his AFL career.
“I was hell bent on playing senior footy at the highest level for a long time,” Cross said on Wednesday.
“I’ve been lucky to make it to 150 at this footy club, and that makes me a life member. It’s certainly something that I’m very proud of, and I’ll be very proud of when I finish my career.”
Now a pivotal player in the Dogs’ midfield, Cross said the support of Eade has been crucial to his success.
“Since ‘Rocket’ has got to the club, he’s certainly given me the opportunity to thrive under him. He’s had confidence in me, and I’ve just gone from strength to strength from there,” he said.
“He’s shown faith in me, and I just want to give back to him what he has given to me.”
Cross has been in the Dogs’ leadership group for five years, which has led to him harbouring a desire to captain the club in the future when veteran Brad Johnson eventually calls it quits.
“It would be something that you would be very proud of, to captain an AFL club,” he said.
“There’s a few of us that are getting towards 28-29 (years of age), so whether the club want to go with someone younger, I don’t know.”
The 27-year-old and his teammates face Fremantle on Sunday in a match that shapes as crucial in shaping the make-up of the top four. Fremantle sit a game ahead of the Bulldogs in the race for the coveted double-chance, and the significance of the contest isn’t lost on Cross.
“(It’s) very hard to win a premiership from five, six, seven and eight,” he said.
“There’s still another five games to go after that (the weekend’s game), but it certainly can give you an edge a mental edge to stay in the four.”
The Bulldogs are in good shape after returning from last week’s trip to Darwin, and have recovered well in the lead up to Sunday’s match. Barry Hall trained well and is expected to play, while Jason Akermanis is in the mix for selection.
“If he’s (Akermanis) doing all the team things down at Williamstown, then he’s every chance,” Cross said.
