Joel Cross ‘embarrassed’ by Magarey Medal win while Panthers stuck in flag drought

ASK Panthers star Joel Cross about his 2015 Magarey Medal triumph and there is an uncomfortable tone in his voice. He’d much rather talk about his burning desire for team success.

SANFL - South Adelaide v Eagles in The Elimination Final at Adelaide Oval. Joel Cross looks to handpass. Photo Sarah Reed.

ASK South Adelaide star Joel Cross about his Magarey Medal triumph last year and there is an uncomfortable tone in his voice.

He describes the win as “embarrassing”, even though it is the second time he has had his name engraved on the state league’s highest individual award, after tying with former Central District co-captain Brad Symes in 2012.

In no way is Cross degrading the honour - far from it. But his thought process is all about team - nothing matters to him in his football life more than ending the 51-year premiership drought for the Panthers.

It is the prized carrot which motivates him to continually make the trek to Noarlunga for training.

In some ways, the Magarey Medal win was a contradiction for Cross.

The title rewards individual feats, yet there is no more team-oriented player in the competition and that is reflected in his work ethic and committed desire for the Panthers’ success on the field.

“The Magarey win was embarrassing to be honest, to get compared to other people,’’ Cross said. “I don’t think about it a lot now, I just think about trying to win a flag - that is most important to me.

“It has been so long since they have won one at South and to win the flag would be something else, it would be enormous for everyone at the club. It’s been five years at the club for me, 10 years for Crabby (Brad Crabb), for all the volunteers and everyone else it has been a 50-year slog.

“To be part of the team ending such a premiership drought, people at the club would mention you forever, you would almost be immortal with 20-odd blokes who changed history.

“A lot of people think there would never be another one (premiership) and that is what motivates me, motivates all of us.

“It is not about me or winning Magarey Medals or best and fairest awards, it is about changing the culture and what people think about South Adelaide.

“It is the team, the club, being part of something with other people. It is not about individuals, it is about the team and having something to talk about for the rest of our lives.’’

Cross joined the club in 2011 after being lured from Victoria by football manager Neill Sharpe, only to consider walking away from the Panthers a couple of years later.

The appointment of Brad Gotch as coach was a huge factor in his decision to continue to wear the navy blue jumper, along with another key component of his makeup - loyalty.

“Leaving the club was a realistic possibility for a while,’’ Cross said. “I was getting concerned with the direction the club was taking but Brad has been amazing for the club in all respects.

“There was a time there when it was maybe best for me and the club to move on and I had a chat with a couple of clubs. We went down the line a little bit although the talks didn’t get too serious, more of a casual chat.’’

Imagining Cross in a rival jumper is next to impossible. Since making his debut for the Panthers, he has played in 102 successive games - incredible considering his work is in the engine room and he does not shirk an issue.

His initial deal with the Panthers was for two years and he was uncertain how long he would remain in South Australia. Now he performs on his preferred one-year contracts.

An accountant with the same company since he relocated to Adelaide, Cross enjoys the lifestyle and has no plans to return to Victoria while devoted to South Adelaide’s pursuit of that elusive flag.