The star centreman was unstoppable in racking up 36 possessions to be a clear-cut winner of the Did Simpson Medal.

“I’m rapt,” Cross said.

“This is one of the best days of my football career that’s for sure.

“I spent most of my childhood around this footy club.

“My dad (Peter) and uncle (Terry) are premiership players and my brother (Josh) played in a grand final here as well.

“It’s just a really proud moment.”

In a fierce opening, Cross thrived in the wet conditions with his quick hands at the base of packs helping Albury take a small but handy 12-point lead into half-time.

The floodgates then opened.

Cross and Shaun Daly were dominant out of the centre in the second-half to effectively seal the match by three-quarter-time.

“Conditions weren’t great for a grand final day,” he said.

“There wasn’t much skill on display but it was a hard-fought game.

“They (Lavington) were really good.

“We were lucky we won the second semi-final and came through fresh and that probably showed out.”

The 249-match AFL star played eight home and away and two finals for the Tigers this year while juggling his commitments with Melbourne.

He was tagged by Lavington midfielder Truman Carroll during stages of the grand final.

“I have so much family here and friends and they are just such a great bunch of boys,” he said.

“I’m so happy.

“My mum and dad have been coming down to Melbourne for 15 years every second week to watch me play and it’s been really good to bring my kids up here now.

“There are so many great people here who I remember from when I was a kid.

“That’s what is special about it.

“To go undefeated for the season is a huge feat.”

Cross is the fifth Albury player to win the Did Simpson Medal in the past eight years.