PADDY Cross admits it still hasn’t quite sunk in.

Less than 24 hours after receiving the call, the 23-year-old was walking through the doors at AAMI Park as Melbourne’s newest recruit, a moment years in the making.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Cross said.

“I got the news last night and then it was straight into the club this morning. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to put my best foot forward.”

The call came just after 9pm.

With his phone sitting on Do Not Disturb, Cross initially missed it. When he saw several missed calls, including one from List Manager Tim Lamb, he quickly rang back.

“I was sitting there with my girlfriend when it happened,” he said.

“It was an unreal moment. I rang my family straight after, and then Kingy gave me a call as well. It was all pretty surreal.”

While the moment may have arrived quickly, the journey has been anything but.

Overlooked in his draft year, Cross returned to Gippsland Power as a 19-year-old before earning his opportunity at Casey. What followed was a testing period, with back-to-back hamstring injuries halting his momentum.

“I did two hammies in two years, which was a bit of a setback,” Cross said.

“But I feel like that period helped me build resilience and learn how to deal with adversity. It’s probably held me in good stead now.”

Last season marked his first uninterrupted campaign - a year that saw his confidence grow alongside his consistency.

“I feel like my best footy is still ahead of me, which is a really good feeling.”

Time spent within the Casey Demons program has also smoothed his transition. Training regularly with Melbourne’s AFL group across the summer, Cross has built familiarity with the environment he now officially calls home.

“It definitely helps,” he said.

“I’ve been around the boys, the coaches and the staff for a few years now. It’s a really welcoming environment, so I feel like that familiarity makes it a smoother transition.”

Match simulation sessions against AFL teammates have further strengthened his belief.

“You line up on some pretty good players,” Cross said.

“You try to appreciate testing yourself against quality opposition and learn from it at the same time.”

Primarily deployed as a forward, Cross describes himself as a high-impact player who prides himself on work rate and scoreboard influence.

“I probably don’t accumulate a huge amount of the ball,” he said.

“But when I get my opportunities, I like to use them well and hit the scoreboard when I can. I just try to work hard and compete.”