While the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong have stolen the headlines recently, 21-year-old Brennan Cox is quietly making a name for himself as another star of the future, according to Fox Footy commentator Garry Lyon.
In Tuesday night’s episode of On the Couch, hosts Lyon, Jonathon Brown, Gerard Healy and Nick Riewoldt all discussed Fremantle’s bright future.
Lyon said Fremantle have uncovered something special with Cox, who has been given more opportunity as a key defender after the injuries to Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Griffin Logue.
“(Looking at) the list of 22 and under, there’s some good names on there,” Lyon said.
“Right now, there’s a kid called Brennan Cox, who probably wouldn’t have been getting a game if it had not been for injuries to Hamling and Griffin Logue, another of which is 22 or under.
“He’s sharp with his hands, he’s a laconic looking player but he is playing a fine role in defence as we speak.”
Fremantle were praised for the work put into building their list in recent years.
“These are blokes that put pride in winning it and maintaining it. Brayshaw’s kicking inside 50 is elite, Cerra was doing Dustin Martin style inside 50s, Serong’s been outstanding,” Lyon said.
“They have gone to the draft and got players that can do the sorts of things that many senior players that can’t.”
Brown credited senior coach Justin Longmuir for being able to get the list to perform under a new system while working under extra restrictions in the 2020 season.
“(Longmuir’s) got a very young group that he’s been able to mould,” Brown said.
“Last week when they beat Collingwood, every single time there was a stop in play, they were set up beautifully and they move the ball really well.
“He’s had a tremendous influence from a very short time span and, obviously limited in the amount of hours he can spend in front of the boys. That shows me the quality of the coach, with his demeanour. He’s done a fantastic job.”
