DANIEL Cross has ticked the final box in his glittering career by returning to home club Albury.
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Cross is locked in to play at least five matches for the reigning premier next season while juggling his commitments with AFL club Melbourne.
“I had hoped to play at Melbourne next year but that obviously didn’t turn out the way I had hoped,” Cross, 32, said.
“Through my playing career it was always an ambition to play at Albury and I guess the stars have aligned.
“It’s worked out really well.
“I’ll be the match day runner at Melbourne during the season but I should be able to play five or six games after looking at the draws.
“A lot of my childhood and teenage memories were at the sportsground and I can’t wait to get back.”
Cross started the 1999 season with Albury’s thirds before being promoted to the Tigers’ reserve grade side.
He was close to senior selection towards the end of the season and played in the six-point grand final loss to Wodonga Raiders.
The following season Cross was drafted by Western Bulldogs from the Murray Bushrangers with selection No.56.
His father, Peter, and uncle, Terry, played over 200 senior matches for the Ovens and Murray club.
“About five or six weeks ago Dad and I were talking about it and I was waiting for the O and M draw to come out,” Cross said.
“We lined up the draws and I asked Dad to give Stuey Hodgson (president) a call to see what he thought about me having a kick.
“It was more about me approaching Albury than Albury approaching me.
“That’s how proud I am to be an Albury boy.
“It’s very strong within my family history.”
Cross played 210 games for the Bulldogs across 12 seasons and 38 matches for Melbourne in 2014-2015.
He picked up an equal career-high 39 possessions against Fremantle in his second last match.
Cross will add even more potency to Albury’s midfield which already boasts Morris Medallists Joel Mackie and Shaun Daly, former AFL players Dean Polo and Chris Hyde and triple SANFL premiership player Brayden O’Hara.
In further bad news for rival clubs, Cross will only carry one point in the player points system.
Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said Cross would be a huge acquisition.
“He’s always been unbelievably passionate about the Albury Football Club and we’re really fortunate he wanted to come back when he finished playing AFL,” Maher said.
