Arriving as a forward from the same SANFL club as Fremantle-legend Matthew Pavlich, Brennan Cox has naturally been linked to the club’s leading goalkicker.
Following Cox’s NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for kicking four goals in Fremantle’s win against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday, the forward said he shouldn’t be seen as Freo’s next big thing, with a number of players emerging at the club.
“Pav played over 350 games and I’ve just played 16, so if I can be half as good as him I’ll be a happy man,” Cox said.
“We’ve got Hugh Dixon in the twos and obviously Matthew Taberner, who was having a great season until he injured his foot.
“When they get up and firing I think we’ll have a very good forwardline.”
Cox feels he’s still growing into the role as a key forward, having put in the extra hours on his goalkicking.
The 19-year-old was rewarded with the nomination against some stiff competition, with teammate Adam Cerra also starring in the clash.
“I’m stoked to get a nomination,” Cox said.
“Especially with Adam playing an outstanding game so I’m just thankful to get the nomination.”
Cox’s contribution didn’t stop with his four goals. He collected seven marks and 11 contested possessions – the fourth-most for Fremantle.
The forward also ran farther than any other player on the ground, with GPS data revealing Cox covered 15km on the day.
Cox said his improved running is a result of his hard-work during pre-season.
“My fitness on game-day isn’t too bad. Once I get out there in the game I just want to chase the footy and that’s what I do,” Cox said.
“It just comes naturally. In the off-season you do the program and do what they ask of you, which is run, and in the games it helps a lot.”
With Cox emerging as one of the better overhead marks in the competition, the final piece to the puzzle has been his goalkicking.
The Woodville West Torrens product revealed he’s settled on a simple approach to his goalkicking after struggling with his accuracy to start his career.
“David Hale and Brent Guerra have helped me a lot with my goal kicking,” Cox said.
“In the end they said do whatever you feel comfortable with. I went back to what I used to do at my (Woodville West Torrens) Eagles days, which is go back, focus on something behind the goals and kick through it.
“That seems to be working for me.”
