Albury’s Daniel Cross will complete a near 5700km, two-day trip across Australia before taking his place in Sunday’s grand final against Wangaratta.
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The 35-year-old’s schedule defies belief in his role as Melbourne runner and rehab coordinator for Saturday’s preliminary final against West Coast in Perth.
Cross will run a gruelling 13kms, much at top pace, relaying coach Simon Goodwin’s messages to the resurgent Demons.
“I’ve actually done it three or four times this year where I’ve played the day after, so it’s not foreign to me,” he said.
“I’ve done the one interstate to Adelaide, where we played on a Friday night and I got back into Melbourne on the Saturday morning and then got up home for the game that day.”
“I know how to prepare myself, I completely lighten off my training this week and be fresh and ready.”
Cross is now in his third year with his home club after finishing a stellar 249-game AFL career.
He’s played just the 29 games, due to work commitments, and has lost only one - last year’s grand final.
I’ve actually done it three or four times this year where I’ve played the day after, so it’s not foreign to me.
- Daniel Cross
He carried a torn calf into the game, which severely restricted his impact, and he also re-tore it during the clash against Wangaratta.
“We had quite a few guys that we were trying to get up,” he said.
“It didn’t fall our way, but you’ve got to have a bit of luck in footy.
“This year we’ve got pretty much a full squad to pick from.”
Cross remains undecided about playing next year.
“I’ve got my wife and a young family to take care of and work’s busy,” he said.
This is Cross’s weekend schedule:
- Friday, 6.15pm: Fly to Perth
- Friday, 8.35pm: Arrive in Perth
- Sat afternoon: Game
- Sat, 6.15pm: Fly to Melbourne
- Sat, 10.45pm: Arrive in Melbourne
- Sun morn: Travel to Wangaratta
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