Joel Cross to make 100th SANFL appearance for South Adelaide

SOUTH Adelaide’s star onballer Joel Cross will add another significant achievement to his impressive resume when he makes his 100th league appearance Saturday.

South’s Joel Cross kicks the ball against the Crows. Photo: Campbell Brodie.

SOUTH Adelaide’s star on-baller Joel Cross will add another significant achievement to his impressive resume when he makes his 100th league appearance for the club in the clash against Port Adelaide at Alberton Saturday.

Cross has yet to miss a game in his five seasons with the Panthers since being lured to Noarlunga from Victorian club Scoresby.

“It is fantastic to get the 100 games,’’ Cross said. “And it has been fantastic to get it at one club, that is important to me.

“I’ve got no plans to go back home. It’s a great competition, the footy is a good standard and they are good fellas here at South.’’

The Panthers were the only club to approach Cross and he was keen for the change of scenery. While he acknowledges there have been tough times at the club in those five years, he believes the Panthers had climbed over the hump and had established “good” development programs.

As for being rated the number No. 1 player in the competition, the 2012 Magarey Medallist was embarrassed.

“I just go out and try and do my best,’’ Cross said. “It is a team sport and it is no good being rated No. 1 if South is not.’’

A victory over Port in the penultimate round will clinch the Panthers a finals berth. However, Port can secure a top three spot with a win.

West Adelaide can jump back into the top three on the ladder with a win over Norwood at Richmond Oval.

The Bloods are a game behind third-placed Redlegs but have superior percentage