The Bulldogs will take on Geelong and North Melbourne at Skilled Stadium on February 20, with their two matches both lasting around 40 minutes.
"I think it's a great initiative," Cross said during his club's Telstra AFL community camp in Horsham. "Bringing three supporter groups together, and three different teams, is really something different.
"I really want to play in the games because you just can't beat match practice."
The Bulldogs' new skipper, meanwhile, is happy that his team isn't the one to have a 90-minute break between hit-outs.
"I'm not sure how myself or some of the other older guys would go warming up, then playing, then cooling down and then going again," Boyd said.
"It's good for us to be able to play continuously, but I think it's a really good concept."
The Dogs are stepping up preparations for their NAB Cup opener by playing an intra-club match at the Whitten Oval on Saturday morning.
All Australian full-back Brian Lake will watch on from the sidelines, as he's still recovering from a host of off-season operations.
"I'm not sure how his progress is going and what his timeframe is, but he's doing a lot of work at the moment," Boyd said. "He looks in quite good shape and we're hoping he can be fit to play Essendon in our first home and away game."
Nevertheless, a host of the Bulldogs' new recruits will be in action, including former Brisbane Lion Justin Sherman.
"He's a very talented outside running player and we'll try and use that as best we can, whether it's on the wing or as lead-up forward option," Boyd explained. "He can certainly play in a number of roles."
Easton Wood is expected to get first crack at filling the shoes of departed defender Jarrod Harbrow.
"It's going to be a good challenge for some of our younger guys to step into that role," Boyd added. "Someone leaves and a position opens up for someone else. That's what's exciting about playing a team sport.
"Easton Wood has had a fantastic pre-season so I wouldn't be surprised if he can fill that role."
And Dogs fans should keep an eye on indigenous draftee Zephaniah Skinner.
"He's got a huge leap and he's very explosive," Boyd said. "He's very raw but that's what's great about him. He's an excitement machine. I know that's a cliché but he really is.
"It's really quite exciting to watch him train. He very balanced when he's got the footy and it's something pretty refreshing to see.
"Hopefully he gets a run early in the NAB Cup. We'll see what happens."
