Dean Cox

[Goldenblue]

Ever since Gardy has been sidelined, it's been heartwarming to see Cox warm to the task in Gardy's absence. Cox has filled the role well for such a young player, his game across the ground has lived up to the role of Gardy's and every game he is getting a lot better. When Gardy comes back, it will enable him to play more across half forward and allow Cox onto the ball and dropping back.

I can't see why Gardy could not play CHF more often than into the ruck with the current form Cox is running into. My early opinion of Cox was that he was a little ungainly, but I bite my tongue and agree he is more mobile than I thought.

I am happy with Cox's work into the ruck and I think he deserves the accolades he is entitled to due to his work in Gardy's absence.

 

[TheRealBuzz]

Came to the club as an 80kg beanpole who didn't look like he had a chance in hell of playing senior footy.

But he's worked his guts out. Put on some weight, developed good skills, and has some smart palming skills.

Has really earned the respect of everyone at the club and the supporters.

 

[Mead]

Originally posted by TheRealBuzz
Came to the club as an 80kg beanpole who didn't look like he had a chance in hell of playing senior footy.

But he's worked his guts out. Put on some weight, developed good skills, and has some smart palming skills.

Has really earned the respect of everyone at the club and the supporters.

Like Judd & Kerr, Cox not only looks like he has oodles of potential left in him, he's a handy player *now*. The guy deserves some serious props for the way he's stood up in Gardiner's absence.

 

[iceman]

I was a bit concerned about Cox at the start of the year and kept thinking that he didnt have the body mass to play in the ruck

To his credit he's stood up excellently and seems to cherish the opportunity to play as the #1 ruckman, hopefully this will enable Gardiner to play more at CHF from now on

 

[Thrawn666]

Im all for Gardy playing across CHF when he comes back to get his fitness back and to provide us with a target up forward but only until he gets his fitness back. Cox has been good in his absence but theres no doubt in my mind who the better of the two is. Gardiner is better around the ground as a marking target when the ball is in transition from one end to the other, an aspect of his game which is much stronger than Cox's by far. Perhaps with Gardy being out for a while we've forgotten how good the man really is.

 

[jod23]

It will be tough to decide what to do when Gardy comes back...Gardiner is wasted at CHF but Cox is wasted warming the bench?? Cox has being fantastic in Gardiner's absense and in the future will certainly be good enough to hold down a No.1 ruck position at a club?? Ours though i dont know cos that spot is Gardiners...perhaps with Wilson out, Gardy can play FF or CHF and allow Cox to continue to play in the ruck.

However when both are match fit, Cox's opportunities will dwindle.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by jod23
It will be tough to decide what to do when Gardy comes back...Gardiner is wasted at CHF but Cox is wasted warming the bench?? Cox has being fantastic in Gardiner's absense and in the future will certainly be good enough to hold down a No.1 ruck position at a club?? Ours though i dont know cos that spot is Gardiners...perhaps with Wilson out, Gardy can play FF or CHF and allow Cox to continue to play in the ruck.

However when both are match fit, Cox's opportunities will dwindle.

If you think there might not be a spot for him at the eagles, what will you say when Seaby makes his debut? Seaby is expected to be a very good ruckman, so good that the eagles passed on Armstrong to pick him up. It will be a bit crowded at the eagles with Gardiner, Cox, Seaby and McDougall all capable of playing in the ruck.

 

[Visro]

McDougall won't be a ruckman, more a CHF or CHB or possibly FF.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Originally posted by Visro
McDougall won't be a ruckman, more a CHF or CHB or possibly FF.

I'm not sure what McDougalls height is (and i've no intention to go and find out ), but he would be in the high 190's. Certainly tall enough to have spells in the ruck. Heck, if Gaspar can play there, so can McDougall.

 

[GoEagles]

With Siera out for a 3-4 weeks, I'd put Gardiner back at CHF and keep Cox in the ruck, or rotate with Gaspar.

Re: Does McDougall ruck? He has been called into the ruck several times for Perth this year and I'm fairly sure he works with the ruck coach at the Eagles from time to time

 

[Thrawn666]

I think Seaby was recruited with a mind to develop him into a key position player rather than a ruckman, or so Im led to believe.

 

[carlyp]

I know what we can do....Put Gardi in the ruck first up then when he needs a break put him in the half forward line. While this is happening have Cox as ruckn (I think this was already happening). It might also pay off if we develop Coxy as a part time defender. He's got the height and as it is our backline is a little short so his height may help down back when we play the real tall sides like the tigers and so on

 

[iceman]

When Gardiner gets back (hopefully soon) i think he'll be put at FF until Wilson gets back

Also, i dont think its such a bad thing having two good ruckman, if Cox is being beaten in the ruck or vica verca, then Gardiner can step in. Theres no doubt that Gardiner can play at CHF and could develop into a good option there

But, when its all said and done, Gardiner will always be the better option due to his ability to play around the ground after rucking (sorry Cox)

 

[carlyp]

Here is some of that depth we've been looking for! And gee it looks good!

 

[Goldenblue]

Originally posted by Thrawn666
I think Seaby was recruited with a mind to develop him into a key position player rather than a ruckman, or so Im led to believe.

I thought he was too Thrawn, he is still a long term prospect though and can mayhaps still play in the ruck later in his career.

We seem to have a good abundance of capable ruckmen, and the club is beginning to show it's depth. We do have a problem in the key FF role when Willo is out or injured, so iceman has come up for the best option for Gardy when he returns.

 

[Thrawn666]

Just as an interesting aside I was watching a bit of the first quarter of our preseason game against Carlton at Princes Park and our setup early on was Cox in the ruck and Gardy at CHF, maybe because Gardy was underdone or more than likely Woosha was experimenting.

We beat Carlton pretty well that day but they were missing Ratten, Mackay, McKernan, Freeborne, Hickmott just to name a few. We were without a few ourselves too McIntosh wasnt playing, cant remember the others but we cant let the preseason count for too much, we have to go out and get the job done during the season proper.