Daniel Cross Biography

Melbourne fitness coach Daniel Cross and development assistant Max Rooke will remain stood down from their duties as the football department squeeze hits the Demons following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daniel Cross finishes his career with a typical act of bravery, waving goodbye on a stretcher as the Demons ended their Etihad Stadium curse with a 26-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

Cross ran back with the flight off the ball in a marking contest on the wing and was motionless after hitting the Etihad grass with his head before leaving the ground to a standing ovation and chants of 'Crossy'.

He emerged from the rooms minutes before the end of the match to receive a proper send-off, with Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe chairing the 32-year-old off the ground.

Daniel Cross is set to retire after Melbourne decided not to offer him a new playing contract for 2016.

The Demons will offer the veteran a development/rehabilitation coaching role.

Cross - who is coming off an equal career high 39-touch game - will play his 249th and final match against Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"It is a privileged existence that we live as footballers and athletes and certainly not one I've taken for granted in my 15 years of playing," Cross said.

"I was never the most talented or fast player to have ever graced this wonderful game that we play, but I wanted to make sure that every single day of every single week that I wasn't satisfied until I improved myself as a player and was on the right path to help my team succeed.

"Unfortunately fairytales don't happen that often in this game, but I'm very proud of the story that I've written."

Jones will be Melbourne's sole captain in 2015 and he will be supported by three recycled players in the club's leadership group.

Jones, 27, will handle the responsibility on his own after sharing the captaincy duties with Jack Grimes in 2014.

Former Collingwood defender Heritier Lumumba is a surprise choice for the Demons' leadership group, which also includes Grimes, Lynden Dunn, ex-Dog Daniel Cross and former Magpie Chris Dawes.

"I think it's a really good mix of guys that understand how difficult it has been, but also some guys who have had some real success who can continue to raise standards around here," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.

Daniel Cross will play on for at least another season, after signing a new one-year contract with Melbourne.

"We brought Daniel to the club because we knew he could play a role for us on the field," Demons general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said.

"He also had a reputation for elite preparation and we thought he could also add some leadership and help out our younger players.

"We're very happy with what he's done and we're pleased to offer him another contract."

Daniel Cross is expected to miss up to six weeks with a broken leg.

Cross sustained the injury late in the club's match against North Melbourne on Sunday.

Amazingly, he played through the injury and complained he was sore after the game. The Demons sent him for an x-ray, but he was given the all clear.

The extent of the injury was only revealed after a scan revealed a small crack in his leg.

"It's a small fracture in one of the bones in the leg so it's a 4-6 week injury," Melbourne coach Paul Roos said.

"That's not ideal for Crossy, he's been a really good player for us and pretty important.

"Hopefully he gets back in the shorter time frame, but he'll certainly be out for a minimum of four."

Melbourne Daniel Cross have agreed to terms that will see the former Bulldog become a Demon for 2014.

Daniel Cross is set to sign a one-year deal with Melbourne after being delisted by the Bulldogs.

"I'm really, really excited that something's going to come about and I'm able to continue my AFL career," Cross said.

"I was really keen to continue on and prove to myself and others that I still can perform at the top level."

Daniel Cross gives an emotional farewell speech at the Charles Sutton Medal count after being delisted by the Bulldogs.

"For the decision that was made last week, although I was left heartbroken, I said this to the guys, I absolutely the respect the decision that was made and the direction the footy club is going. I will continue to support this club wherever I end up, and this place will always be my home," Cross said.

"All I've tried to do in my career since I've been here is play so hard for the red, white and blue and I'm going to miss it. Yesterday I was hanging out my son's jumper and saw it with the number four and 'daddy' on the back and I broke down in tears because I won't see him wearing it anymore.

"I'll love this club forever."

Daniel Cross, Nick Lower, Lukas Markovic and Patrick Veszpremi are delisted by the Western Bulldogs.

"These decisions are always difficult but are made with the club's future as the primary focus," Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said.

"We thank the players sincerely for the valuable contributions they've made to our football club and wish them the very best for the future."

Daniel Cross says he will continue his career at another club to allow the Bulldogs the opportunity to develop their younger players.

"I love this club, its supporters and all the players I've played with, and totally understand its position with regards to its direction," Cross said.

"While I leave with a heavy heart, I sincerely thank the club and its staff for giving me an opportunity to realise my dream of playing AFL football."

"I will always look back at my 13 years as a Bulldog fondly, and look forward to finishing on a high note with my teammates this Sunday."

Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said Cross made an outstanding contribution over the past 13 years.

"Daniel has added an enormous amount to this football club since he arrived in 2000, and leaves a legacy of an ultra-professional, team-oriented player who consistently displayed great courage for his team," Garlick said.

"There is no question that this has been a difficult call to make given the calibre of person and footballer that we all know Daniel to be".

Daniel Cross says it's only a matter of time before young Dog Clay Smith gets a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after missing out on the nod for Round 1 despite booting four goals on debut.

"I'm sure he'll probably get one by the end of the year, but that's for [the AFL] to decide," Cross said.

"Probably his full body cramp cost him, being subbed out of the game was unfortunate for him. But I'm sure Clay doesn't really worry about that. He was happy to get his first game and he contributed so well."

Midfielders Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross have re-signed with the Bulldogs.

"It's a great result for all parties and a just reward for both players who have been outstanding for the club in recent years," general manager of football James Fantasia said.

Daniel Cross says Western Bulldogs players threw their support behind recruiting Barry Hall just two days after bowing out of the AFL finals.

"I think looking forward, having big Barry down there is going to give the forward line more help," Cross said.

''Hopefully, he's going to open more options for the team and for the coaches going forward."

Western Bulldog Matthew Boyd narrowly edged out Daniel Cross to win his first Charles Sutton Medal as the Bulldogs' best and fairest.

Daniel Cross recovers in time for the finals from a potentially season-ending ankle injury with the help of an innovative icing and compression unit which allows players to constantly ice and compress injuries and improve their recovery.

"I was never going to concede. It was never in my mind to do that," Cross said.

"I love this team and I wanted to do what I could to get us into the third spot and hopefully do well in finals.

"I was going to leave no stone unturned."

The Bulldogs express relief with news that Daniel Cross could miss just one week after undergoing ankle surgery.

"It was the best news we could have with it. He had a little bit of gristle taken out last night," Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

"I spoke to Daniel yesterday and if he missed only one or two weeks, he was really pleased with that, so I think he'll be in a positive frame of mind with the news."

Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross will have exploratory surgery on his ankle to determine the extent of an injury he sustained while playing against West Coast.

Cross is at risk of missing out on the Bulldogs' finals campaign depending on results from the surgery.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross says his side can make it to the grand final this year.