SO DANIEL Cross’ 249-game AFL career has come to an end.

Well done Crossy, you’ve been a role model to the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne – and of course the game.

You should be enormously proud of your incredibly resilient, consistent and most tenacious career.

I reckon you represent everything good about the game. 

It’s a credit to you, your family, close friends and those who have supported you along the way. But most of all, you should be proud of who you are and what you’ve added to the game.

Coaches, players and supporters alike have come to admire and love “Crossy” and it’s not hard to see why.

His act on the ground, when he flew for a mark and then crashed to the deck early in the final term against GWS on Sunday at Etihad Stadium – before being taken off on a motorised stretcher – was typical of the man. He put his body on the line and did everything he could to help his team.

Coach Paul Roos said Cross’ act actually inspired his teammates.

“I hate to see him go off injured, but backing back and not knowing what’s coming … that’s typified his whole football career,” he said.

“It showed a level of respect we have for him and our players really lifted in that patch.”

For teammate Jack Viney, he also couldn’t speak highly enough of Cross.

“I don’t think you can hold someone in higher regard than Daniel Cross,” he told Dee TV. 

“The way he goes about his football – he’s taught me so much – not only as a player, but as a person. [He’s also taught me] the right way to go about life in general.

“He’s been a massive influence on my career and you could see after he went off [the ground due to concussion] that the boys really lifted – that’s how much he means to the ground. They were willing to dig deep for him.”

For the 32-year-old, it was the end of a massive journey.

One which had seen several milestones achieved – including a best and fairest with the Western Bulldogs in 2008, four runner-ups and one third placing. That’s six top three finishes, an outstanding effort.

For the New South Welshmen, recruited from Albury/Murray Bushrangers, Cross has been a constant in the AFL for well over a decade. He was drafted at pick No.56 in the 2000 AFL Draft by the Bulldogs and has been a fine player at the Demons since being claimed as a delisted free agent.

He’s clearly maximised his talents and been a bargain basement recruit on both occasions.

But as he reflected on his journey at the Bulldogs and Melbourne, you could tell how much the game meant to him. He leaves it as a player knowing he squeezed every drop out of the lemon (a reference he made in his farewell speech to his Melbourne teammates about his career).

“When I started as a 17-year-old, coming down from the country, I knew I had a lot of things to work on in my game and I just wanted to work and work and work. Whether I thought that I was going well or not, it didn’t matter,” he told Dee TV.

“I knew I had so much to improve on and still keep pushing. I’m proud of that – right until the end and hopefully I’ve rubbed off on a few guys in the right way.

“This career that we get the opportunity to live is very special. I consider myself very fortunate. I had a dream when I was little kid to play AFL football and I’ve been able to do that and I’m forever grateful to the Bulldogs and Melbourne for the journey. No regrets from me – that’s for sure."