Brennan Cox

Originally from Woodville South in Adelaide, Cox played for Woodville-West Torrens in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 2016. He also represented South Australia at the 2016 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named as the centre-half back in the All-Australian team.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/sanfl/woodville-west-torrens/brennan-cox-is-the-forward-who-wants-to-defend/news-story/e8880966f061d552614c0092719b074d?nk=88c3a474a5685eebe33c774794f67798-1496933267|title=Brennan Cox is the forward who wants to defend|first=Matt|last=Turner|work=The Advertiser|date=15 November 2016|access-date=8 June 2017}}

He was recruited as a versatile player to Fremantle with their third selection, 41st overall, in the 2016 AFL draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2016-11-25/draft-wrap|title=Freo stand tall at AFL Draft|first=Tom|last=Fee|date=25 November 2016|publisher=fremantlefc.com.au}} He made his AFL debut in round 12 of the 2017 AFL season against Brisbane at the Gabba, after playing well for Fremantle's reserves team, Peel Thunder, in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).{{cite news|last1=Lacy|first1=Bridget|title=Sam Collins gets his shot as Dockers drop Matt Taberner against Brisbane|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/sam-collins-gets-his-shot-as-dockers-drop-matt-taberner-against-brisbane-ng-b88501968z|access-date=8 June 2017|work=The West Australian|date=8 June 2017|language=en-AU}} Cox kicked a career-high four goals during round 12 of the 2018 AFL season, for which he received a 2018 AFL Rising Star award nomination.{{cite news|title=NAB Rising Star Nomination for Cox|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/59949/nab-rising-star-nomination-for-cox|access-date=16 August 2022|work=fremantlefc|language=en}}

After starting his career playing mostly as a forward between 2017 and 2019, Cox made his debut as a defender during the 2020 AFL season.{{cite news|title=Why JL wants to keep Cox in defence|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/860776/its-a-really-important-part-of-the-game-why-jl-wants-to-keep-cox-down-back|access-date=16 August 2022|work=fremantlefc|language=en}} Cox made a case for All-Australian selection during the 2022 AFL season with his ability to shut down some of the best forwards in the competition, he was named in the initial 44-man squad but didn't make the final 22.{{cite news|title=Two Freo stars in line for All Australian selection!|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1206378/two-freo-stars-in-line-for-all-australian-selection|access-date=30 August 2022|work=fremantlefc.com.au|language=en}} Cox played 23 games in 2022 a career best and also averaged 16.5 disposals a game, which is elite for a key defender.{{cite news|title=The numbers behind Fremantle Dockers defender Brennan Cox’s compelling case for All-Australian selection|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/the-numbers-behind-fremantle-dockers-defender-brennan-coxs-compelling-case-for-all-australian-selection-c-7821781|access-date=16 August 2022|work=PerthNow|language=en}} He finished the season polling runner-up in Fremantle's best and fairest award.{{cite news|title=Purple reign: Gun Docker tops off dominant year with maiden Doig Medal|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/853254/purple-reign-gun-fremantle-dockers-andrew-brayshaw-tops-off-dominant-year-with-maiden-doig-medal|access-date=|work=afl.com.au|date=1 October 2022|first=Nathan|last=Schmook}}

Round 1 of the 2023 AFL season against {{AFL Stk}} saw Cox equal the Fremantle games record for most marks in a single game, collecting 20 marks and 30 disposals.{{cite news|title=Cox equals Freo record on disappointing night

|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1287278/cox-equals-freo-record-on-disappointing-night|access-date= 12 July 2023|last=|first=|work=fremantlefc|language=en}} He was sent forward the next round against {{AFL NM}} during the last quarter after Fremantle struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, kicking a goal.

Already signed until 2024, Cox re-signed for a 6-year contract extension in October 2023 that will last until at least 2030.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Docker for life? Freo defender locked in on long-term deal |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/fremantle-dockers-defender-brennan-cox-signs-long-term-deal-with-the-club-locked-in-until-2030--c-11982153 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Key back’s big deal! |url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1436201/key-backs-big-deal |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=fremantlefc.com.au |language=en}}

Brennan made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the {{AFL BL}}, playing as a key forward. He kicked a goal during the 23 point come from behind win. Unfortunately, Cox suffered a hamstring injury in the final quarter after landing awkwardly whilst contesting for a mark.{{cite news|last=Kirby|first=Aaron|title=Brennan Cox: Fremantle Dockers star set to miss more than half the season amid surgery on hamstring|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/brennan-cox-fremantle-dockers-star-set-to-miss-more-than-half-the-season-amid-surgery-on-hamstring-c-13994917|access-date=4 April 2024|work=thewest.com|language=en}} Cox made his return to the AFL in round 17 of the 2024 AFL season after two weeks of managed minutes in the WAFL, playing as a key defender.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1592347/team-cox-returns |title=TEAM: Cox returns! |date=4 July 2024 |website=fremantlefc.com.au |language=en}} {{AFL Fre}} ended up being 51 point winners against a struggling {{AFL Ric}} side.{{Cite web |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1163995/fremantle-dockers-gives-lowly-richmond-tigers-the-heave-ho-to-continue-top-four-push |title=Freo gives lowly Tigers the heave-ho to continue top-four push |date=7 July 2024 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}

: Statistics are correct to the end of round 7 2025{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/B/Brennan_Cox.html|title=Brennan Cox|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=26 May 2022}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2017

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 10 || 4 || 11 || 56 || 56 || 112 || 47 || 16 || 0.4 || 1.1 || 5.6 || 5.6 || 11.2 || 4.7 || 1.6 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 16 || 18 || 14 || 105 || 80 || 185 || 70 || 39 || 1.1 || 0.9 || 6.6 || 5.0 || 11.6 || 4.4 || 2.4 || 1

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 8 || 5 || 2 || 31 || 45 || 76 || 29 || 20 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 3.9 || 5.6 || 9.5 || 3.6 || 2.5 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}}

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 83 || 65 || 148 || 51 || 11 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 6.4 || 5.0 || 11.4 || 3.9 || 0.8 || 0

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 87 || 55 || 142 || 56 || 11 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 7.3 || 4.6 || 11.8 || 4.7 || 0.9 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2022

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 23 || 1 || 1 || 271 || 109 || 380 || 146 || 25 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 11.8 || 4.5 || 16.3 || 6.3 || 1.1 || 0

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |2023

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 20 || 2 || 0 || 210 || 128 || 338 || 151 || 19 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 10.5 || 6.4 || 16.9 || 7.5 || 0.9 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2024

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 9 || 1 || 0 || 67 || 33 || 100 || 48 || 13 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 7.4 || 3.6 || 11.1 || 5.3 || 1.4 || 0

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |2025

|{{AFL Fre}}

| 36 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 55 || 27 || 82 || 36 ||5 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 7.8 || 3.8 || 11.7 || 3.8 || 0.7 || 0

|-

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 118

! 32

! 28

! 965

! 598

! 1563

! 634

! 159

! 0.2

! 0.2

! 8.1

! 5

! 13.2

! 5.3

! 1.3

! 1

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Fremplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}
• {{WAFL FootyFacts}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170624082040/http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/7149 Brennan Cox's] WAFL statistics

{{Fremantle player squad}}

{{Peel Thunder 2017 WAFL premiers}}

{{2016 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cox, Brennan}}

Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:Woodville-West Torrens Football Club players

Category:Peel Thunder Football Club players

Category:Fremantle Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Adelaide

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen