Why would they not care?
I just don’t understand why the people in power would not want to progress.
Everyone keeps talking about underlying issues are the cause of this, that and other, and blame seems to be one dept on to another.
Because they know what the problem is and they know it’ll take a decade to fix. They’d rather try a short term fix hoping it’ll bring the club, and them, some success while they are still here, rather than do the right thing and maybe not obtain success themselves but set the club up for future long term success.
1 Like
It’s a bit harsh to single out a player in a terrible team performance like that. He was pretty ordinary, but it was tough going down back, and he doesn’t have the physical strength to play the role expected of him. Not sure where that leaves him - certainly not as a key back. Would be handy if he could develop some Blakey-type traits his game. For me, most disappointing was his poor disposal last night, but he was far from alone. Give him games and find out what he can do.
3 Likes
Seeing the problem and successfully fixing it is two different things. There’s obviously so many areas requiring change and transformation at Essendon it takes considerable time. Even then you must hope they make the right changes. But to the naked eye, the heavy weights on the clubs progression don’t appear to be successfully addressed yet. Namely fitness and conditioning and development. Scotts admission about soft tissue issue was really noteworthy and worrisome at the same time. Their investigations and changes to date seemingly not successful. And the VFL program is not supporting the development focus as a strong school for young talent developing their individual craft in a supportive environment.
2 Likes
Nik Cox is like most other younger players at Essendon - they are all bog average ordinary.
The list is a generation away from being top notch.
1 Like
I think most people think he deserves a shot to see where or what he could be.
however blind freddy can see he just ain’t ever going to be a backman.
he hasn’t bulked up to play that role, so i don’t understand why they keep forcing the issue and playing there.
some people on blitz claim he’s “versatile” cos he can play in any position cos of his height, but you’re seeing he can’t play as a backman cos he gets exploited.
the club picked up a 200 cm odd wingman, and now are trying to make him into a key position back. people are annoyed at the situation moreso than the individual.
I personally don’t understand why they don’t try him as a forward, at least then his attacking flair could potentially shine through more.
either way i think it’s become very clear though he should not have been picked the draft order position that he was.
if he wasn’t a top 10 pick, he wouldn’t be getting the free ride of games that he is.
they are sort of stuck trying to force the issue with cox, moreso out of fear of looking bad and looking like they stuffed up (or a particular person who’s name is dodo).
it should be pretty clear by now though, he should not be a key position back, and there’s absolutely 0 point to persisting with trying to force him to be one.
should’ve called u sonny jim aka CHAMPMAN
2/44 is statistical noise.
No point blaming anyone in the backline or any junior players for that loss.
We lost it in the midfield, pure and simple.
Cox was average, but his senior teammates were worse.
8 Likes
The problem being, there are players developing and flourishing under the same program as Cox, such as Martin, Durham, Perkins. All of whom aren’t stagnating and at the moment Cox continues to uninspire.
Judge him at seasons end. I doubt he’ll ever be better than a B grade, but needs to be assessed after he’s played 50 games
Ok. I think development at Essendon is not being effectively optimised. Partly due to previous gaps in resources & coaching but in larger part driven by lack of continuity of training and playing due to a substandard fitness & conditioning program and a substandard VFL program. We can agree to disagree on this.
If Cox becomes a B grader it will be a miracle.
No skill, soft, no identifiable position - the odds are firmly against him
1 Like
I’d say it’s not optimal, but to lay it all on the program for what we see in Cox today as you initially indicated is off the mark.
Thanks for the ride anyway Sonny Jim.
1 Like
cox attempt at tackling butters says everything
his one on one against Finlayson
1 Like
It’s so bizarre watching people come here to pile on Nik after that loss, where our mids and rucks were absolutely dominated and the defence was under siege all night.
He had a couple of eye roll moments, but don’t see any reason why it’s worth focusing on him whatsoever, especially after a good start to the season.
17 Likes
Do you reckon he was trying hard enough in these 2 contests in the last -
- PA 15th goal to Jones where, in the lead up, Cox trots along at half rat power while Marshall picks up the ball near the far boundary line
- PA 16th goal from the goal square where Butters handballs to Jones after walking through a Cox “tackle”. I’ve had more difficulty breaking through a cobweb in the garden than Butters had there.
If that’s him trying, heaven help him.
2 Likes
But he wasn’t drafted as a wingman.
He was drafted as a 200cm utility. Being ‘versatile’ was like his big selling point, and probably why Dodoro just couldn’t pass him up.
He played all over the ground as a junior.
I personally think he should be playing the Heppell role in defense, not the Reid/Ridley role. As you were pointing at, he’s no key position player.
2 Likes
Ill take your word for it, not to keen to go back and watch. Im sure you understand.
None the less unfortunately i think most of the time it is his best.
You can almost hear the wheels turning in his head and they aint quick.
He is so afraid to make a decision, that he does his utmost to put himself in positions where dosnt have to. Its not good. Does very little instinctively.
Saying all this he has been ok up until last nights game and i think he is worth persisting with for a few more games to see which Cox we have got.