RETIRING Demon Daniel Cross has earned high praise for his career from forward line coach Dan McPherson.

Cross announced he was retiring from the AFL on Wednesday, after he wasn’t offered a contract for 2016.

McPherson said it wasn’t an easy decision for the club to make, but he couldn’t speak highly enough of the 32-year-old’s career, which will finish on 249 AFL matches against GWS on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

“It was a decision that was not taken lightly. He’s been a super contributor to our footy club for the last couple of years,” he told Dee TV.

“Our players here can do a lot worse than take some learning from the way Crossy goes about his preparation and his endeavour on the field – he’s just been fantastic.

“He came to us after a long career at the Bulldogs and he’s been really important. He’s showed the younger guys what it’s been like to be a professional … some of the new guys look to him and everything he does, in terms of his diet, his preparation, how hard he trains, his recovery and the way he manages himself to get up every week is just a credit to him.

“He’s had a fantastic career and whatever he does post footy, I’m sure he’ll be really successful at as well.”