Fremantle defender Brennan Cox has embarked on an extraordinary journey, both on and off the field.
The birth of his first child, Arlo, has brought a new dimension to his life, providing solace during a challenging period of rehabilitation following a severe hamstring injury.
Cox's injury, sustained during the Club’s round one clash with Brisbane required surgery and led to a three-month recovery period.
During this time, the arrival of Arlo became a beacon of hope and joy.
"Having the hammy injury was sort of a silver lining," Cox reflected on the latest episode of the Better Down Back Podcast, powered by MyPlace.
"Being able to stay home for the first three weeks of his life and then working out what works for us (Cox and partner Keah) as parents and as a couple helping to raise Arlo was invaluable."
Cox's credited partner Keah for being a pillar of strength throughout the first few months of parenthood.
"She’s been amazing, doing all the little things like waking up in the middle of the night to breastfeed and looking after Arlo when I’m away,” Cox praised.
“It’s tough on her, but she’s handling it really well and has learned everything from reading books and watching videos and is even teaching me along the way."
The experience of fatherhood has given Cox a renewed sense of purpose, both in his personal life and his professional career.
“It’s definitely given me a lot more purpose,” Cox gleamed.
“Having something to come home to everyday brightens up your world even if you’re having a really bad day, you go home and he’s smiling at you it’s really cool.”
Cox's journey on the field has been equally transformative. Initially drafted as a forward, Cox found himself filling various roles due to injuries among Fremantle's tall forwards. However, his career took a definitive turn when Justin Longmuir took over as the senior coach.
“When JL got to the Club, he pulled me in and asked, 'Where do you think you play your best footy and where do you feel most comfortable?' I told him it was probably down back,” Cox shared.
“Ever since then, he’s put me down back".
Longmuir's approach has been to give players the best opportunity to excel in their preferred positions. For Cox, this meant a permanent shift to defence, where he has flourished earning himself a spot in the All-Australian squad in 2022 and a second-place finish in the Club’s Doig Medal.
Cox's commitment to playing defence was solidified after a humorous yet telling incident.
"When I did my injury (hamstring), I said I’m strictly playing defence, strictly playing back shoulder, never playing forward again. I was only joking with JL, but he seemed to agree,” Cox joked.
This shift has allowed Cox to focus on becoming the best defender he can be, a role he has embraced wholeheartedly.
