Brennan Cox has received high praise from Senior Coach Justin Longmuir, who is backing the key defender for All-Australian recognition come season’s end.

Cox was influential as one of the key pillars holding up Freo in defence on Friday night, in a tense battle with the Tigers that couldn’t be split at the final siren.

The intercept defender had 23 disposals (at 91 per cent efficiency), and recorded seven marks, seven intercept possessions, seven rebound 50s and seven spoils for the match.

It’s a performance that adds to a standout season from Cox, who is averaging career best numbers in disposals, marks and rebound 50s so far this year.

Alongside Cox, Longmuir credited his overall backline group, highlighting the relatively inexperienced quartet of Heath Chapman, Hayden Young, Brandon Walker and Jordan Clark.

“I think (our backline) has got the potential to be one of the better back sevens in the comp,” Longmuir told SEN’s Crunch Time.

“Add in Chapman, Walker, Young and Clark (who played game no.50 on Friday night), many of them have not yet played 30 games, but have become pretty reliable players.

“Brennan Cox, I think has had an All-Australian year and probably doesn’t get the recognition over here (in Victoria) and externally as what he does internally.

“I feel like we have got some good cohesion down there and our backline coach Matthew Boyd has done a fantastic job of teaching them the game plan, but also in bringing them together and getting them to support each other.”

Young’s game-high 31 disposals, 14 marks and 10 intercepts caught the eye of many on Friday night, lauded as a best on ground performance in what was his career-best game according to AFL Player Ratings.

Longmuir stated the importance of his leadership, as well as the likes of midfield duo Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong,

“I thought Youngy was one of the best on the field and he is just such a mature operator week to week and then during the week he is a real pro,” Longmuir said.

“He’s going to be a great football player for us for years to come.

“I couldn’t be more impressed with some of our younger leaders and I think the guys that get the recognition are guys like Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, but I thought Hayden Young and Brandon Walker bring that energy for us and really showed a bit last night.”