WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - DANIEL CROSS

[MadAsHell 4,217]

His names come up a bit as a potential free agent so thought he deserved his own thread. Promise I'll make this my last for today everyone!

Just turned 30 earlier this year, 205 AFL games but hasn't played since round 8 this year due to the Bulldogs looking to add some youth to their ageing midfield.

Over the course of his career averaged just under 24 touches a match and was still getting over 21 touches a match this year before being dropped.

Could help with our clearances in the middle, especially if Rodan is moved on at seasons end and would probably have 2 years left in him I reckon. Brings in good experience and leadership and could also play the tagging role which would make McKenzie and Nicholson redundant, however unlike those two Cross can get the ball himself and knows his limitations.

Wonder how people would feel about Cross crossing to the Dess?

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/player-profile/daniel-cross

[Mono 455]

I've heard worse ideas. Great role model; gets the absolute most out of himself.

[Clark_Kent 315]

I would say Yes. Kane Cornes has wound back the clock this season so there is no reason why Cross couldn't as well. At the very least would bring some experience and help the youn mids. Give a one year deal and there isn't much risk.

[Nasher 33,617]

We need to add some age to our youthful midfield. Sounds like a perfect fit to me.

[jacey 333]

His names come up a bit as a potential free agent so thought he deserved his own thread. Promise I'll make this my last for today everyone!

If his body is sound, it's a yes from me too.

[Fat Tony 5,306]

I think Rodan on another year is a better option.

[spirit of norm smith 16,617]

Daniel Cross. 2 year deal. But I think he would be a monty if he walks, that he would look to go to a top 6 team searching for a premiership. Essendon would be my likely destination.

[rjay 25,306]

The games passed him by, we don't need to be picking up any more players who don't get a game at their club. Byrnes couldn't get a game at the Cats, fair enough they are a top team. Cross struggles to get a game for the Dogs and they're around about us.

Cross has been a good servant at the Dogs and will retire as one.

Our youthful midfield doesn't need another player who is over the hill and has average disposal skills at best.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

2 year deal leading into assistant coaching role to help further develop the young mid, a great example of a mid not bursting with talent making it on hard work, would be a great get.

[Nasher 33,617]

Daniel Cross. 2 year deal. But I think he would be a monty if he walks, that he would look to go to a top 6 team searching for a premiership. Essendon would be my likely destination.

Surely a 30 year old slow mid not getting a game for the 16th side doesn't just waltz in to a top 4 midfield? There's a big difference between being a stop-gap for us and a premiership mid for a contender. I expect he'll sign with anyone just to prolong his career.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,446]

I've read that the Dogs definitely won't be offering him a new contract - I think we would be stupid not to go after him, he would be a short-term injection into our non-existant midfield and provide some hardness at the clearances while allowing some of our younger players to develop. Get it done MFC.

[dazzledavey36 55,886]

He would be the locker room leadership we are lacking. Yes from me. 2 year deal.

[GawnWithTheWind 604]

Could be playing this week to impress his new club.

2 years.. not too much $$$.. playing assistant role as he is meant to be a fantastic trainer and leader.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,446]

Wants to play on as well;

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-29/cross-ticks-final-box

[What 18,810]

Absolutely go get him.

A veteran body with leadership skills and he is actually a good player too.

This wont be a pointless move like getting Byrnes /. Rodan.

[spirit of norm smith 16,617]

Agree. Would be a good acquisition for MFC. Are the dogs delisting him or try to get free agency compensation ???

Delisted free agent IMO so no compo involved.

Though if I were Cross I would look at a club like the Blues to play finals (and actually win games!!!)

[rjay 25,306]

Agree. Would be a good acquisition for MFC. Are the dogs delisting him or try to get free agency compensation ???

Delisted free agent IMO so no compo involved.

Though if I were Cross I would look at a club like the Blues to play finals (and actually win games!!!)

I don't think he has enough currency for a club like the blues and we already have enough pensioners, he's right at the end of it now. I like the way he goes about it but we need to offload a few to pick him up.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Now here is the sort of player who WOULD make a difference to our midfield. (Unlike this ridiculous Greenwood talk)

He is a team first, tough and very professional AFL player with the highest training habits and standards. I was lucky enough to meet him through a degree I was studying years ago and he is exactly the type of head down bum up personality we need to compliment Jones.

He is the exact opposite of someone like Sylvia. He has no ego. He is a team player and much like Dawes and Clarke would help set training standards and habits. It's like injecting good bacteria into the club.

Posters may question my views on Cross in comparison to Greenwood, (because he isn't highly skilled either) - But for the MFC, someone like Cross being around our young midfield would have a much greater impact on the development of our youngsters than that of Greenwood. And that's exactly what we should be looking for.

Big yes for me.

[spirit of norm smith 16,617]

Now here is the sort of player who WOULD make a difference to our midfield. (Unlike this ridiculous Greenwood talk)

He is a team first, tough and very professional AFL player with the highest training habits and standards. I was lucky enough to meet him through a degree I was studying years ago and he is exactly the type of head down bum up personality we need to compliment Jones.

He is the exact opposite of someone like Sylvia. He has no ego. He is a team player and much like Dawes and Clarke would help set training standards and habits. It's like injecting good bacteria into the club.

Posters may question my views on Cross in comparison to Greenwood, (because he isn't highly skilled either) - But for the MFC, someone like Cross being around our young midfield would have a much greater impact on the development of our youngsters than that of Greenwood. And that's exactly what we should be looking for.

Big yes for me.

OMG. Cross at 31 is an absolute gamble. Knees are 50/50. 2years left in him. Skills are so so. Lacks any acceleration, Loves the contest, good role model

If its Cross (31)V Greenwood (24) ... please Greenwood's longevity, rigor and quick 5m burst of pace would be obvious choice.

[rpfc 28,906]

OMG. Cross at 31 is an absolute gamble. Knees are 50/50. 2years left in him. Skills are so so. Lacks any acceleration, Loves the contest, good role model

If its Cross (31)V Greenwood (24) ... please Greenwood's longevity, rigor and quick 5m burst of pace would be obvious choice.

It's not either/or situation. If Cross can be acquired for little he is worth it to bring in a body to help our kids in the middle.

[deeko 952]

It's not either/or situation. If Cross can be acquired for little he is worth it to bring in a body to help our kids in the middle.

RPFC you wrote in the other thread that you are hoping for 'Band 3' (forgive me if the wording is wrong here) compensation if we lose Sylvia which could be in the lines of a pick in the 20's.

Wouldn't picking up Cross effect this and see a similar effect to last year where in my opinion I feel we got a little shafted (picking up Byrnes & Gillies for Beamer & Riv)??

[rpfc 28,906]

RPFC you wrote in the other thread that you are hoping for 'Band 3' (forgive me if the wording is wrong here) compensation if we lose Sylvia which could be in the lines of a pick in the 20's.

Wouldn't picking up Cross effect this and see a similar effect to last year where in my opinion I feel we got a little shafted (picking up Byrnes & Gillies for Beamer & Riv)??

Yes, if we take him as a FA.

But according to Patrick Keane's twitter account - we can trade for UFAs.

In that instance, I would trade Pick 70 for Daniel Cross and Pick 74 and maintain Sylvia's FA value.

[What 18,810]

Bad move by the Bulldogs by the way.

Reminds me of the way we forced out Junior.

Way too risky for them to do it when they are so young and lacking experienced and leadership.

[Hannibal 5,814]

PROS: 1. Leader-200 game player 2. Wins contested footy 3. Helps Jones while Viney is developing 4. Better than what we've currently got

CONS: 1. Old 2. Slow 3. Exposed on the outside- no spread 4. Takes the spot of a young developing player on the list

My gut says to go down the youth path, but Cross has some merit while we're transitioning our midfield.

Not the worst suggestion. I'll sit on the fence for a while.

[richyrich 44]

Now here is the sort of player who WOULD make a difference to our midfield. (Unlike this ridiculous Greenwood talk)

He is a team first, tough and very professional AFL player with the highest training habits and standards. I was lucky enough to meet him through a degree I was studying years ago and he is exactly the type of head down bum up personality we need to compliment Jones.

He is the exact opposite of someone like Sylvia. He has no ego. He is a team player and much like Dawes and Clarke would help set training standards and habits. It's like injecting good bacteria into the club.

Posters may question my views on Cross in comparison to Greenwood, (because he isn't highly skilled either) - But for the MFC, someone like Cross being around our young midfield would have a much greater impact on the development of our youngsters than that of Greenwood. And that's exactly what we should be looking for.

Big yes for me.

Agreed with you on Cross. Cant we have Greenwood and Cross. They are different players and I'm yet to be convinced on Tompass. While I believe its unfair to put pressure on such a young kid but im just not 100% convinced on him. I'll give him time and learn not to overhype him like I did with Watts. I do believe both could play and therefor support drafting both along with Adams.