MIDFIELD coach Ben Mathews says veteran Daniel Cross’ elevation to the leadership group is well and truly justified. 

Mathews couldn’t praise Cross’ influence around the club enough, saying that the former Bulldog had been crucial to the development of Melbourne’s young list.

“He’s been a very, very good player at AFL level with the Western Bulldogs and we were lucky enough to get him across,” he told Dee TV.

“It’s been a massive benefit for our group – his experience, his leadership and his professionalism and the way he prepares himself week in, week out.

“He’s 31, but his body is in such good nick, because he looks after himself and the way he trains – every session, he gets the best out of himself.

“He’s been great for our group and it’s well deserved … [that he’s in the] leadership group. [He has] an impact on how players prepare and what it takes to prepare for a long career in the AFL.

“His performances have been very good for our side – he’s had jobs over the first couple of rounds on [David] Armitage and [Matt] Priddis and we’ve released him a little bit into the midfield in the last few weeks.

“His performances have been very, very good and consistent from a great player like Crossy.”

Mathews said youngster Christian Salem had worked hard and impressed considerably for Casey in the VFL last weekend, which had resulted in his ensuing debut for Melbourne against the Sydney Swans at the MCG this Saturday night. He said fellow first-year Demons Jayden Hunt and James Harmes were also showing good progress at VFL level.

“He’s going really well – no doubt about it. He’s developing and improving his game, and he’s been working really hard on his game at training and at VFL level, which all young players should do,” Mathews said.

“He’s coming off 34 touches.”

It will be the second week in a row Mathews has come up against his former club, but he said much had changed since he was with the Swans.

Mathews’ last season with the Swans was in 2008, but there are still 10 players on their list in 2014: Craig Bird, Adam Goodes, Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack, Nick Malceski, Jarrad McVeigh, Ryan O’Keefe, Ted Richards, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Nick Smith.

Three players are now at rival clubs, including Demon Dean Terlich, who spent one season with the Swans in 2008, Daniel Currie (North Melbourne) and Jesse White (Collingwood).

Mathews said there was no secret recipe to overcoming the Swans, except hard work and adhering to the game plan.

“Gold Coast, I was development coach up there and know a lot of players individually and their coaching staff and how they want to coach. But unfortunately we couldn’t quite get over them, so I had no real impact there and now [I come up against my former team], the Swannies,” Mathews said.  

“I retired six years ago now, so things have changed – Johnny Longmire has taken over and a lot of the players I’ve played with are gone.

“A lot’s changed, but it’s exciting to play the Swans, because they’re a great club and it’s a great opportunity now for us to challenge ourselves against a good side that’s coming off a strong win.”