THERE'S no doubt Daniel Cross' 2008 season was an eye-catching display.

But at the Brownlow Medal count, the Western Bulldogs midfielder was cast into the shadow of teammate Adam Cooney, who was a deserving winner of the competition's most esteemed individual prize.

Two weeks later, Cross got his own moment of glory when he won his first Charles Sutton Medal at the club's best and fairest evening.

Playing all 25 games, due recognition came for leading the league in contested possessions and handballs. He also laid the most tackles at the club.

Cross' giant strides could have him feeling pressured ahead of this season but the 25-year-old fitness machine is even more motivated to help achieve a long-standing team objective.

"I'm just the same as everyone else. The only goal I have is to do well as a team, and that's why everyone plays – to win a flag," Cross told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"We haven't won one for a while so we're looking to do that and create our own history at the club here.

"I'm just another player in a big team and I'm looking forward to playing my part."

Cross will also be required to shoulder more responsibility as a leader this year. Over the past few seasons, he and Matthew Boyd have become more assertive – taking more ownership of what happens around the centre circle.

The recent retirement of Scott West has magnified the need for players like Cross to stand up again and he believes he is capable of doing just that.

"This is my third year in the leadership group, and the first couple of years you sort of just listen in more than say things and just take in what the more experienced guys have to say," he said.

"I'm becoming one of those players now. We feel like we've got a good hold on things with Craig Biddiscombe (Leading Teams national program manager) helping us out.

"It's going along very well. It certainly helped us with our game last year, and we showed when we finished third what we can do when we follow a program that we're all accountable to."

West has been replaced in the club's seven-man leadership group by talented forward Shaun Higgins, who is hoping to put a couple of injury-hit seasons behind him.

"Higgo is a great young leader. He's still in the development group but to be part of the leadership group as a 21-year-old is a big thing," Cross said.

"We're looking for big things from him on and off the field as well."

Cross is feeling fit and ready for the season after an October hiccup with his back saw him miss a week of training and restrict him for much of the pre-season.

He expects to play against Essendon in Friday night's NAB Cup match after returning to "just about 100 per cent" over the past few months.

"I've been feeling great otherwise and we're looking forward to playing our first game this week and hopefully getting a win," he said.