View Full Version : Daniel Cross....true champion.
Bodicifer
21 Apr 2008, 12:01
Crossy gives 100% EVERY game. Yesterday he saved us from a loss. He runs his guts out, tackles his guts out, smothers his guts out. He may not have the Griffen pace or Gilbee kick but he is one of our three most important players I reckon and he would never let you down through lack of effort. I think some of our players yesterday need to follow Crossys example as I think there were a few that didn't run or run hard when they needed to.
HowBoutThemDoggies
21 Apr 2008, 13:40
extremely underrated
the things he can do with a handball often amaze me
What about the goal from the boundary in the last couple of minutes, i couldn't believe that he actually slotted it from there!
always right
21 Apr 2008, 14:27
What about the goal from the boundary in the last couple of minutes, i couldn't believe that he actually slotted it from there!
What about the fact he caught Foley in the first place? Foley was burning off everyone else yet one of our slowest players summoned the effort to get to him. Sometimes Crossy just wills himself to a contest. Fills me with pride every time I watch him.
Bodicifer
21 Apr 2008, 14:30
What about the fact he caught Foley in the first place? Foley was burning off everyone else yet one of our slowest players summoned the effort to get to him. Sometimes Crossy just wills himself to a contest. Fills me with pride every time I watch him.
Bloody oath always right, he really makes you love the Dogs...not syaing that the other 21 players dont give the effort but I would guarantee that if the other 21 put in the same effort for 4 quarters that Crossy gives then we would be serious flag contenders.
P-MONEY
21 Apr 2008, 14:32
When he was lining up for goal in that last quater i said "If he kicks this something's going to happen"
stefoid
21 Apr 2008, 14:33
Yeah, if you had to nominate two players to kick match saving goals your list probably wouldnt start:
Daniel Cross
Will Minson
kookadog
21 Apr 2008, 14:42
yep, he's a champ, definate captain material the way he plays his footy.
I think he's improved since last year which is saying alot.
I'd love to see him as captain, a real "lead by example" player.
The number of times he puts his head over the ball is unbelieveable.
My love for this bloke has gone up and up and up, he has become a absolute leader and gun on the field. His comments after the game were spot on, he doesn't except mediocrity and wants the club and supporters not too as well. He is defiantly a great chance to be our next captain and i for one would be delighted to see him get it.
#1 Dogs Fan
21 Apr 2008, 20:10
If he isnt our next captain I will eat my shoe (SERIOUSLY) :thumbsu:
Crossy is fantastic. Works his butt off from first minute to last - probably has more last quarter possessions than anyone in league. Fitness can beat speed if EVERYONE was as fit and committed to the cause. That's why he caught Foley-he was still fresh while Foley was stuffed.
Agree with the captaincy - he is head and shoulders above the rest for dedication and inspirational one percenters. His comment after yesterday's game about not accepting a draw when we should have won showed his desire to move away from the near enough is good enough culture we've had for years.
Ted's Robot
21 Apr 2008, 21:26
Can't believe some tigers supporters moaning about the free Cross got, because Foley got the handball off, if he did and didn't look like it. Could not get a more obvious holding the ball decision. Well done Daniel great chase, tackle and goal!
boydsno1
21 Apr 2008, 21:29
what about when griffen got called for holding the ball when he clearly handballed it. and why was gilbee given a free against him in a marking contest when he didnt even use his hands?
GetDimmaBack
22 Apr 2008, 11:54
I remember the first few games Crossy played, after he'd been dominating at Werribee. He struggled to get his hands on each time he played seniors, so back he'd go to the VFL. Probably played up 20 games like that.
To see him now is testimony to his work ethic and his attitude, although to focus purely on this would be to underplay his real ability to read the game and be in the right place at the right time.
He is a natural leader. Did anyone notice him summoning the troops after his last quarter goal?
The other players also look to him for leadership - there is probably no other player in the game who looks so much like a Captain-in-waiting.
Oh - let's not forget Scotty Clayton drafted him at about pick 56 (or thereabouts).
His real value to the club has been in the late picks. Genius.:p
always right
22 Apr 2008, 12:10
what about when griffen got called for holding the ball when he clearly handballed it. and why was gilbee given a free against him in a marking contest when he didnt even use his hands?
The free against Griffen was probably correct. If you have prior opportunity and then get tackled, you must dispose of the ball legally and immediately. Griffen almost did a 360 before he handballed it. Mind you, same rule doesn't seem to apply to Judd.
As for Gilbee, it doesn't matter if he used his hands or not...you still can't push a player out. That's not to say I agree with the decision. I thought it was simply clever use of his body.
lifelike_
22 Apr 2008, 12:57
The free against Griffen was probably correct. If you have prior opportunity and then get tackled, you must dispose of the ball legally and immediately. Griffen almost did a 360 before he handballed it. Mind you, same rule doesn't seem to apply to Judd.
Judd popped into mind straight after reading that post. Gilbee swung him around one and a half times last year and the ump didn't do a thing.
As for Cross, agree with what's been said. Never takes a backwards step.
If he isnt our next captain I will eat my shoe (SERIOUSLY) :thumbsu:
Murph might have something to say about that!:p
boydsno1
23 Apr 2008, 10:24
and gia. i know people don't rate him on here but i do. his a quality player and more importantly his a player that the rest of the group seem to respect alot and listen to. thats what you want in a captain. and his also a team player. something johnno gets critisied about for being alil too slefish. but murph and cross would have to be up there.
Red,White and Blue
23 Apr 2008, 10:25
this guy is a bloody star. the chase and tackle on foley was magificent. the goal was brilliant. oh and also the smother he did right near me got a big roar even though it seemed like we were going to lose.
dogupya
23 Apr 2008, 10:30
and gia. i know people don't rate him on here but i do. his a quality player and more importantly his a player that the rest of the group seem to respect alot and listen to. thats what you want in a captain. and his also a team player. something johnno gets critisied about for being alil too slefish. but murph and cross would have to be up there.
No disrespect but if we chose Gia as our next captain, expect to see our membership plummet to new lows. He may be well respected around the club and players might listen to him, but does he lead by example?? No!
He is lazy and more often than not, soft at the contest. He is horribly inconsistant and relys on his abilty to bob up with the ocassional goals to save him from real scrutiny.
Lets look at players like Cross and Westy... How many bad games do they have, how many times would we jump up and down about Daniel's commitment or work ethic, his contribution or standard of play??? Very rarely....
He trains the house down and leads on the field as well, he is still spriting to the contest in the 120th minute. His endurance is freakish and his sharpness of mind late in games is unmatched. Along side Murphy, Cross will be fighting it out to be our next captain.
Can't believe some tigers supporters moaning about the free Cross got, because Foley got the handball off, if he did and didn't look like it. Could not get a more obvious holding the ball decision. Well done Daniel great chase, tackle and goal!
Foley got a little touch on it, but was trying to handball to himself which generally the umpires will see as him maintaining posession. This has always been paid as holding the ball.
No disrespect but if we chose Gia as our next captain, expect to see our membership plummet to new lows. He may be well respected around the club and players might listen to him, but does he lead by example?? No!
He is lazy and more often than not, soft at the contest. He is horribly inconsistant and relys on his abilty to bob up with the ocassional goals to save him from real scrutiny.
Lets look at players like Cross and Westy... How many bad games do they have, how many times would we jump up and down about Daniel's commitment or work ethic, his contribution or standard of play??? Very rarely....
He trains the house down and leads on the field as well, he is still spriting to the contest in the 120th minute. His endurance is freakish and his sharpness of mind late in games is unmatched. Along side Murphy, Cross will be fighting it out to be our next captain.
Scooty West was on Triple M before Sunday's game and said that Gia would be favourite to be the next captain, with Higgins as a smokey.
Bodicifer
24 Apr 2008, 16:50
Scooty West was on Triple M before Sunday's game and said that Gia would be favourite to be the next captain, with Higgins as a smokey.
Crossy would have taken over the lead by far, so long as he wants it...Gia has shown me in the last couple of games why he perhaps shouldn't be due to a couple of contests where IMO he took a couple of short steps.
Crossy would have taken over the lead by far, so long as he wants it...Gia has shown me in the last couple of games why he perhaps shouldn't be due to a couple of contests where IMO he took a couple of short steps.
Totally agree in terms of a supporter point of view, but I think that within the playing group there would be a lot of support for Gia. (By the way I think that Cross should be the next captain).
No disrespect but if we chose Gia as our next captain, expect to see our membership plummet to new lows. He may be well respected around the club and players might listen to him, but does he lead by example?? No!
He is lazy and more often than not, soft at the contest. He is horribly inconsistant and relys on his abilty to bob up with the ocassional goals to save him from real scrutiny.
Lets look at players like Cross and Westy... How many bad games do they have, how many times would we jump up and down about Daniel's commitment or work ethic, his contribution or standard of play??? Very rarely....
He trains the house down and leads on the field as well, he is still spriting to the contest in the 120th minute. His endurance is freakish and his sharpness of mind late in games is unmatched. Along side Murphy, Cross will be fighting it out to be our next captain.
I think you're being a bit naive. The way the fans perceive a player matters very little in choosing a captain - it is solely about how he is viewed by the leadership group and what affect he has on the players.
Tom Harley exemplifies this; people questioned him being captain - he was struggling for form, wasn't seen as a well known type of player etc etc, and it turns out he is a very apt leader of men.
Gia has been spoken about in terms of the captaincy for a long time and I have no doubt he will be right there in the running. From what is said about him by players- his professionalism and work ethic is as good as any.
I'd suggest Gia has become a consistent player these days. The typical negative veiw of him is he's soft at the contest etc etc. Not everyone can be an inside player - his finishing is what gives him his value. He would be responsible for more goal assists than anyone at the club.
Cross is a great player - I love the way he goes about it - but captaincy isn't for everyone - and the players and coaches are best placed to decide who will succeed Jono.
Dogs_R_Us
24 Apr 2008, 17:32
No disrespect but if we chose Gia as our next captain, expect to see our membership plummet to new lows. He may be well respected around the club and players might listen to him, but does he lead by example?? No!
He is lazy and more often than not, soft at the contest. He is horribly inconsistant and relys on his abilty to bob up with the ocassional goals to save him from real scrutiny.
Lets look at players like Cross and Westy... How many bad games do they have, how many times would we jump up and down about Daniel's commitment or work ethic, his contribution or standard of play??? Very rarely....
He trains the house down and leads on the field as well, he is still spriting to the contest in the 120th minute. His endurance is freakish and his sharpness of mind late in games is unmatched. Along side Murphy, Cross will be fighting it out to be our next captain.
I think your summary is entirely disrespectful to Gia. Not everyone shares your poor opinion of his work ethic. He is a clever player and sets high standards for himself. IMO lazy would be the last word that could be applied to him. He went through a period of inconsistency (along with many others last year) but this year he has been great. I also don't agree that he is soft at a contest. Very often he's at the bottom of the pack. Some fans criticise Crossy for his kicking and disposal, but Gia is excellent at this, so they all have their strengths and weaknesses.
I agree with OZZA that not every great player is suited to be captain, or may not even want to be. If Gia is selected it will be for very good reasons and all fans should get behind him if that happens.
Bodicifer
24 Apr 2008, 17:46
Regardless of Gia, I just reckon Crossy, if he wanted the job, would get the player tick of approval and the fans tick of approval. Ans as for clubs not caring about what the fans think, just remember that fans talk with their hip-pockets and for a club like the Bulldogs, they need every member on board and I think Crossy would also be a better membership decision as well.
I think your summary is entirely disrespectful to Gia. Not everyone shares your poor opinion of his work ethic. He is a clever player and sets high standards for himself. IMO lazy would be the last word that could be applied to him. He went through a period of inconsistency (along with many others last year) but this year he has been great. I also don't agree that he is soft at a contest. Very often he's at the bottom of the pack. Some fans criticise Crossy for his kicking and disposal, but Gia is excellent at this, so they all have their strengths and weaknesses
Let me first say I wouldn't mind if Giansiracusa is our next captain if the powers that be believe he's the man for the job.
But...
2 weeks in a row he has squibbed a contest. TWICE! not once but twice in 2 weeks! It's seriously disgusting to watch. I don't get it, he's not a soft player so why is he deciding to do this weak shit every now and again and why does it happen when we are losing?
He's a good player he just needs to stop having these brain fades. If he makes it 3 in 3 weeks then he should be dropped. Not because he's playing poorly but because it sets a bad example for the rest of the players.
Regardless of Gia, I just reckon Crossy, if he wanted the job, would get the player tick of approval and the fans tick of approval. Ans as for clubs not caring about what the fans think, just remember that fans talk with their hip-pockets and for a club like the Bulldogs, they need every member on board and I think Crossy would also be a better membership decision as well.
I think you are overplaying the point on Crossy being big for membership support. Who a club chooses for captain will only have a very minor impact on membership - extremely minor. And nothing would suggest more people would be members if Crossy was captain.
If you are aiming your argument at perception, having a good looking bloke, who is well spoken and articulate and a western suburbs boy through and through as captain - sounds like terrific marketing to me.
Jono the Yarraville boy handing over the reins to Gia the boy from Willi....sounds good to me...if you are suggesting perception is that important.
Let me first say I wouldn't mind if Giansiracusa is our next captain if the powers that be believe he's the man for the job.
But...
2 weeks in a row he has squibbed a contest. TWICE! not once but twice in 2 weeks! It's seriously disgusting to watch. I don't get it, he's not a soft player so why is he deciding to do this weak shit every now and again and why does it happen when we are losing?
He's a good player he just needs to stop having these brain fades. If he makes it 3 in 3 weeks then he should be dropped. Not because he's playing poorly but because it sets a bad example for the rest of the players.
Gotta love the blokes who sit there at the footy and yell at AFL footballers that their 'soft' and 'squibbed it'. Yes, you have to go hard at the footy.....but please try to stumble across the modern game at some stage too.
Gotta love the blokes who sit there at the footy and yell at AFL footballers that their 'soft' and 'squibbed it'. Yes, you have to go hard at the footy.....but please try to stumble across the modern game at some stage too.
Give me a break. I didn't call Gia 'soft' in fact to quote me directly I don't get it, he's not a soft player
Which is why it's even more frustrating when he does something soft like he has in the past two weeks. It must be down to loss of concentration.
As for ye old hack football supporter telling players they are soft argument. Well imagine we took that theory to the footy with us. 'Ohhh Jordy McMahon didn't hit a target again, oh well either could I, keep going Jordy yay'.
Snake Livermore
24 Apr 2008, 19:37
Let me first say I wouldn't mind if Giansiracusa is our next captain if the powers that be believe he's the man for the job.
But...
2 weeks in a row he has squibbed a contest. TWICE! not once but twice in 2 weeks! It's seriously disgusting to watch. I don't get it, he's not a soft player so why is he deciding to do this weak shit every now and again and why does it happen when we are losing?
He's a good player he just needs to stop having these brain fades. If he makes it 3 in 3 weeks then he should be dropped. Not because he's playing poorly but because it sets a bad example for the rest of the players.
I don't think Gia squibbed on the weekend, and I'm pretty sure we all know the occasion you're talking about. I'll explain why.
When the ball was coming across the ground, Gia had an acre of space in front of him. He had a choice of giving himself room and marking cleanly, and taking off into the space most likely ending up in a bulldogs scoring shot, or attacking the footy and most likely getting held up by Deledio.
Gia didn't think that Deledio would make it to the footy, certainly not to mark it. He didn't count on Deledio's super speed and leap, which is better than most in AFL footy. By the time Gia realised his mistake, he was two steps away from the contest, and could only watch as the awful consequences ensued. Gia was as mortified as anyone when Deledio marked it.
Players like Addison, Callan, and Morris would always attack the ball in a situation like that, and kill the footy. But they will never create as much for their team as Gia does.
Giansiracusa: occasional horrendous and irresponsible decision maker - yes. Squibber/soft - no
For the record, and back on topic, I reckon Crossy would make a better captain..