Cross, 25, placed second in the club’s 2005 best-and-fairest count, and third in 2006, and was overwhelmed to finally win the medal at a function at Crown Casino on Tuesday night.
"This is the biggest honour of my football career," Cross said afterwards.
"To win a best and fairest at an AFL club is something that I certainly didn't aim for as a kid, and certainly isn't something I thought would happen if I ever did get on a list.
"It's certainly huge for me ... but seeing the footage of Hawthorn's premiership from the weekend is what I'm after.
"Individual prizes are great but team success is what I'm after."
The fit midfielder played every game this year and averaged more than 26 possessions a match. He was an important part of the Dogs' engine room, and picked up more than 30 disposals in a game on seven occasions.
Cross recorded 191 votes to win the award from Cooney and Matthew Boyd, who polled 167 and 163 votes respectively.
Cooney, fresh from his Brownlow Medal win just over a week ago, finished in the Dogs’ top three for the first time. Boyd was also a top-three debutant.
"I certainly didn't expect it, that's for sure," Cross said, when asked how it felt to beat a Brownlow Medallist.
"I thought it was sewn up before we even got here. Coons is the most talented player on our list, and I feel very honoured and privileged to have won an award in the same team as a Brownlow Medallist."
A host of other club awards were handed out at the function, with recently retired club legend Scott West honoured with a prize named after him for the most courageous player.
Cross added to his haul by taking out the inaugural award, and said he was proud to win a trophy that comes with such a legacy.
"That probably rivals, if not edges out, this best and fairest award," he said.
"[Courage] is something that I pride myself on when I play. I've grown up playing that way, and it's a huge honour to win an award in Scotty's name."
Midfielder Jarrod Harbrow was named the club's most promising player, defender Dale Morris picked up the match committee award, and youngster Callan Ward capped off his exciting debut year to win the best first-year player prize.
Shaun Higgins, who spent much of this season sidelined with an ankle injury, was honoured with the community award for his off-field achievements.
The final vote count for the Charles Sutton Medal:
| 1. | Daniel Cross | 191 |
| 2. | Adam Cooney | 167 |
| 3. | Matthew Boyd | 163 |
| 4. | Dale Morris | 149 |
| 5. | Daniel Giansiracusa | 132 |
| 6. | Jason Akermanis | 130 |
| 7. | Robert Murphy | 129 |
| 8. | Ryan Hargrave | 119 |
| 9. | Ryan Griffen | 117 |
| 10. | Lindsay Gilbee | 111 |
Best First Year Player: Callan Ward
Most Promising Player: Jarrod Harbrow
Match Committee Award: Dale Morris
Community Award: Shaun Higgins
Scott West Most Courageous Player: Daniel Cross
Bruce Wilkinson Award (Trainers): Daniel Cross
