FOOTY FIX is baaaack – scroll down
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
DANIEL Cross will make his highly anticipated debut for Albury in the Tigers’ Good Friday blockbuster against Lavington.
The 249-game AFL player has been cleared to play for the Tigers at Lavington just over 18 hours before he assumes his role as match-day runner for Melbourne in its season opener against GWS at the MCG.
But in a selection shock, Lavington has axed former St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke.
Koschitzke has been named as an emergency for the Panthers and his future at Lavington remains unclear.
Luke Gestier and Ben Murphy will play their first matches for the Panthers after switching from Corowa-Rutherglen and Wodonga Raiders.
Cross, meanwhile, will be joined in the yellow and black for the first time by Josh Mellington and Simon Thomas in the grand final re-match.
“It’s exciting for Crossy to play his first senior game in the Albury Tigers colours and we’re all excited to have him,” Albury co-coach Shaun Daly said.
“He’s wanted to pull on the Tigers jumper for such a long time.
“He’s played 240-odd AFL games so he’s obviously got a bit to add with his leadership and also his preparation with how he looks after his body – they’re the things that some of the younger guys will be able to learn off him.
“He obviously brings his footy ability as well but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t want to be the big star or the No.1 player, he just wants to play his role and do his bit for the team.”
Daly said milder conditions – with a top of 25 degrees forecast for Friday – would allow Cross to fulfill his commitments with Melbourne, which will see him run between 10-15km, on Saturday.
Cross played in the Tigers’ practice match against Canberra Demons in sweltering conditions in early March before doing the running for Melbourne in its pre-season win against the Western Bulldogs the following day.
“That match was pretty hot, being 30-plus degrees, so there was a bit more focus on recovery that week but he was fine in the end,” he said.
“I’m not sure he could do it every week.”
Daly returns to Albury after a three-year stint in Queensland with Mayne Tigers and said he couldn’t wait to resume hostilities with the Panthers.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to start the season than with a grand final rematch,” he said.
“It’s going to be a blockbuster game, I think.
“They didn’t make the grand final last year for nothing, they’re a very good side who are very well drilled, so you can’t give them an inch or they’ll take a mile.
“They’ve got a strong forward line but they’ve had the best defence for the last year or two as well.”
