Roosy in his On The Couch appearance tonight was asked for his reflections on when he first came to the club in 2014 and what was important in the turning the ship around. He mentioned two things.

The first was everyone at the club from top to bottom being on the same page regarding where the club was at.

The second was the importance of Bernie Vince and in particular Daniel Cross.

The below is a transcript of his comments.

“I think getting Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross, two experienced players, don’t underestimate their importance. Bernie is still playing but I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of Daniel Cross. 

The reason I say that is one of the things they really struggled with was game day. Just knowing how hard to work on game day. And that was the biggest thing. The two way transition running was very difficult for them. We walked off, Round 2, 98 point losers at the MCG, and with all due respect to the Swanny’s boys I brought, Ben Matthews, Daniel McPherson, Brett Allison and Georgey Stone, we were like wow, we haven’t seen this before. So having Crossy and having his GPS numbers, and having his vision, the way that he would play, we still put him on some of the best midfielders in the competition and his GPS numbers were through the roof. So the ability to explain to players with his vision, and obviously showing vision from other teams that did it really well was just imperative. 

But also Bernie and Crossy saying, ‘guys you do a lot of things right’. I think in those dark days it’s easy to get caught up in all the bad things going on. But Crossy, Bernie, Dawesy as well saying ‘guys you train as well as Adelaide, you train as well as the Bulldogs’...”

As we enjoy the ride over the next few years, spare a thought for Crossy ?

 

28 minutes ago, P-man said:

As we enjoy the ride over the next few years, spare a thought for Crossy ?

Is he still our runner? Would leave many eating his dust even after retiring a couple of years ago. The bloke is like a treadmill, just keeps on running.

Love crossy

Never got enough credit for his playing career.

I hope the dees give him plenty of love

21 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Is he still our runner? Would leave many eating his dust even after retiring a couple of years ago. The bloke is like a treadmill, just keeps on running.

Runner, Crossy is the reason Tommy Mc and Jack Viney came back in tip top shape, he drives the rehab once the medicos etc have done their bit

He is still driving standards

Hell yeah. Sometimes I get stuck watching youtube clips of highlights, and a classic is the Dons game that Salem kicked the winner in. Cross kicked it to him, and I always smile when I think about his time at the club. Was a terrific pickup. 

This is still one of my favourite Dees related images. Crossy was (and I’m sure still is) well love by the players, Gussy chairing off his son at the same time was just a beautiful moment. 

When I spoke to ANB he said Crossy would still kill everyone with his running (I was so sad he quit was sure he had one more season). Was super pleased for Roos to give him a shout out, I like as this train ride gets going, that the credit is shared. So many people to thank, when we make finals I think we should work on a 'thank you thread' and acknowledge everyone, the players, coaches, admin, etc who will all have had a part, be it a finger or a hand in turning the club around. Obviously some will be more (rightly) feted than others, but would be good to make sure all efforts are acknowledged.

Crossy, B Mac, Craig Jennings....   sign them all long term up and whoever else is behind all this magic.

45 minutes ago, DaisyDeeciple said:

When I spoke to ANB he said Crossy would still kill everyone with his running (I was so sad he quit was sure he had one more season). Was super pleased for Roos to give him a shout out, I like as this train ride gets going, that the credit is shared. So many people to thank, when we make finals I think we should work on a 'thank you thread' and acknowledge everyone, the players, coaches, admin, etc who will all have had a part, be it a finger or a hand in turning the club around. Obviously some will be more (rightly) feted than others, but would be good to make sure all efforts are acknowledged.

Very true.  Lots of credit to share.  And, Roos is the first to share it around.

On Triple M on Sunday, Roos credited Taylor and Viney for the list.  Even tho he would have specified the type of player he wanted (eg competitive types) for the hard and tough game plan he was building and was an integral part of the list management strategy, he didn't take any credit for himself. 

A roll call of draftees from his recruiting years of 2013 to 2015 - Starting 22: Petracca, OMc, Brayshaw, Salem, ANB, Harmes, Oliver.  Roos always said you build your midfield first and there it is right there.  Can easily add Hunt, Weideman, Stretch, Tyson who on the edge of best 22.   And, his mature age recruits:  Cross, Vince, Garlett, lifeline to Jetta.  Yep, much deserved credit to Viney and Taylor but Roos should also take quite a bit of credit for our list.  (Credit for 2016 and 2017 recruits to Goodwin).

Roos was also asked if Melbourne win the flag how much credit is his.  He said 'I would be so happy, I don't care about that'.  He meant it.

He delivered us the elite midfield he promised, plus more.  For mine he will go down as the architect of our list build and the tough competitive game style we are now seeing.  Roos won't be front and center when we start having real success but he will proudly be cheering in the background.

Edited May 28, 20187 yr by Lucifer's Hero

Roosy is a die hard Melbourne supporter now! You only have to see when we win, he always puts up an Instagram story saying "Go Dees".. I can see it grand final day he'll be wearing a melbourne sitting in the stands next to PJ and Glen Bartlett cheering his heart out!

Oh and Crossy is a machine..  tears a near hole when he comes up and plays for Albury tigers each week.

Edited May 28, 20187 yr by dazzledavey36

Cross might have been forgotten by the media, but not by the MFC faithfull who stuck it through with our team when Crossy played for us.  Can only imagine the player he must have been in his prime for the dogs.

David Rhoden is another I felt we got good value out of, even if it was not as profound as the likes of Cross.  And,  if I'm ever thankful to Hawthorn for anything, Jordan Lewis has been pretty good having only had to give up a swap of picks in the 50s or something.  Still [censored] me that nearly two years on they show Lewis with a Hawthorn jumper and premership medalion on his AFL 360 segment - would be nice if one day that is replaced by the same scene with him in a MFC jumper.

There's a lot to like about what Paul Roos said but for an articulate person he really butchers the language! Lot's of half-sentences and incomplete thoughts. Nevertheless, you can work out what he means even if it doesn't have the linguistic elegance of a Winston Churchill.

Or Hemingway.

Edited May 29, 20187 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

And he’s still greatly respected back at the Doggies. It’s not just Daniel Cross’s playing/training abilities that made him special but his whole outlook on life.                         I’m certainly glad we’ve still got him.

Love how Crossy still gets acknowledged now and then from the members side next to the interchange, you'll still occasionally hear someone yell out to him then a little bit of applause afterwards lol

Cross' last game - he gets concussed putting his body on the line for the team. It was the breaking of the Etihad curse, stuff all crowd there but the standing ovation he got at the end of the game was as big as any I've seen. 4 young guys came in to that team that day and there was a distinct feeling Goody was handed the keys to start implementing a zone defence. The Giants were down on players as well as pretty much done for the year but it was important to go out there and get the win after we'd tailed off as the year went on.

Even looking back now so much of the team has changes, pretty much a new forward line and a lot of new parts down back since 2014/2015 but so much of our development started with having a midfield that kept us in games. You can't develop players if you're getting smashed in the midfield and you can't throw young guys in the middle and expect them to perform every week.

I think Jamar and Spencer should get credit for making Gawn fight to play games until it clicked for him in mid 2015. But mostly the work Jones, Vince and Cross did along with Viney and Tyson was so important. We couldn't beat the top teams and we often lost with terrible errors against the bottom teams as well! But we had a good shot against any side from 6th down and whilst 2014 wasn't pretty we turned the corner in 2015.

 

I honestly didn't know who Cross was when he, pardon the pun, crossed to Melbourne. I honestly can say now that I'm glad he did and glad he has stayed. His heart is all Demon now. Thank you Crossy.

Speaking of heart and soul guys like Crossy...

Has Junior McDonald come back to the club yet in any capacity, even just to watch some training?

I know a past Bulldogs player who spoke of Crossy in glowing terms and felt he was a huge loss to the Dogs.

He thought that we would benefit, but was livid that the Dogs were prepared to let him go.

He talked about Crossy's professionalism and his influence on his team mates particularly the Bulldog pups. 

3 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

There's a lot to like about what Paul Roos said but for an articulate person he really butchers the language! Lot's of half-sentences and incomplete thoughts. Nevertheless, you can work out what he means even if it doesn't have the linguistic elegance of a Winston Churchill.

Or Hemingway.

Lol so true. What’s funny is I’ve edited it to make it seem more coherent but there’s only so much Roos speak you can edit out.

5 hours ago, Petraccattack said:

Speaking of heart and soul guys like Crossy...

Has Junior McDonald come back to the club yet in any capacity, even just to watch some training?

Junior has left footy to be a farmer. I think in NSW, but not sure

11 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Junior has left footy to be a farmer. I think in NSW, but not sure

Going back to what he knows best, McDonald had a farm

On 5/29/2018 at 8:57 PM, don't make me angry said:

Going back to what he knows best, McDonald had a farm

I guess even someone known as "Junior" eventually becomes an old McDonald.