He was promoted to the AFL side in round 22, and managed 18 disposals, in what was an otherwise disappointing game for the Bulldogs due to losing by 84 points to the Brisbane Lions.

2008 saw Cross play a more integral role in the midfield, with Scott West suffering a long term injury.

His season was rewarded with the Charles Sutton Medal as the club best-and-fairest, finishing 24 points ahead of Brownlow Medallist, Adam Cooney.

The Western Bulldogs again made the preliminary final, but lost the match to St Kilda by 7 points.

He underwent a double ankle reconstruction in the off-season of 2009, but managed to return during the 2010 NAB Cup, where the Bulldogs were the eventual winners.

He played every match of the season which saw the Bulldogs reach a third consecutive preliminary final, but ultimately lost to St Kilda by 24-points.

In the week leading to the final round clash with Melbourne, it was announced the Bulldogs would not renew Cross' contract, ending his 11-year playing career with the club,[11] in addition, it was the first time in a decade he did not finish inside the top-10 for the best-and-fairest.

[13] Brought into the club due to his 'reputation for elite preparation and leadership to help out the younger players',[14][15] he was named in the leadership group alongside Lynden Dunn and Chris Dawes in April 2014, replacing the injured Jack Trengove and retired Mitch Clark.

He won the Dick Taylor trophy for finishing fifth in the best-and-fairest behind Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince and Lynden Dunn,[19] he was also rewarded with the James McDonald award for best team man.

[24] In October, he accepted an off-field role to stay at Melbourne as development and rehabilitation coach from 2016 onward.

He represented the O&MFL in 2016 against the Hampden Football League and won the best on ground award - the Norm Minns Medal.

[25] On 4 October 2007, Cross and teammate Tom Williams leaped into the water of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong to rescue a schoolgirl attempting to commit suicide.

[26] Following the incident, Cross and Williams were awarded certificates of commendation by Hong Kong's director of marine.