Cross, who arrived at the Whitten Oval as a shy teenager in the 2000 National Draft, is one of the leading candidates to take over as captain when Johnson finally pulls the pin.

While Matthew Boyd will lead the Bulldogs tonight as the club continues to rotate captains in the absence of Johnson — Daniel Giansiracusa was given the job against the Brisbane Lions last week — Cross said he would take the opportunity with both hands if given the chance.

“It’d be something I’d treasure forever,” he said.

“But there’s a couple of really good candidates and I reckon he (Johnson) has got two or even three years left to be honest, he keeps going and going.

“But if I was voted in, I’d take it on ... it’d be a boyhood dream to captain an AFL side.”

But Cross admits he would have to become more outspoken if he was to be given the honour of leading his team.

“There’s probably a couple of areas I’d have to tinker with to get the job — I’m more of an actions person, I probably don’t speak up as much as other guys,” Cross said.

“Starting out, I was quite shy and I’m getting better at it ... but (I need to) come out of my shell even more and take on more roles as a leader.”