#13 Nik Cox

[CSP88]

Whats more valuable at the moment another Forward or a Utility?

Thats what selection will and should be about.

• assuming both players are ready to go.

[donsrule]

@darkknightpheonix

i mean if all things were equal, and they were all fit and it’s day 1 and cox has trained the house down, obviously then yes draft number and all that and perceived value of it you’d go with cox.

however with the every growing and possible variable list of reasons that make it not as easy as that come into play.

this is where consistency comes into it, that’s what we all want.
so if as some supporters have said along the voss journey that you “can be equally developed in the vfl, as much as the afl” and " he needs a good 6 week body of great form" and from the coaches " we want voss to be ready that when he’s picked he stays in the side" that sort of messaging has to apply to all players, and specifically all talls.

now by the looks of it he’s going to be playing as a backman (which is not what he was drafted for nor spent the first season playing as) so therefore he should be in a similar boat to voss that he should have to prove he can put a x amount of exceptional block of form that when he does get picked he’s
A this ever elusive magical term “ready”
B that he will in a position to cement his spot once picked.

Cos by that logic, it’s going to be damn harder for him to get a gig in the backline considering voss couldn’t get one with no wright, weed at times and jones as a decoy running to certain spots forward who barely kicked goals.

none of that is aimed at you specifically, like you said just pointing out the opposite side, and i get it, while being picked higher should give you some advantage, to me it would continue to send the wrong message to other youngsters, that they aren’t as valuable to the club.

and while i get in the long run if you have to back right now who will have a better career, you’d have to go with cox on that same theory (high drafted etc), doesn’t mean he should be handed it thought without having to prove himself first.6

Yeah I agree, he still needs to earn it, for sure. And also agree about a happy work environment for all. I’m unsure what it’s like to be a young kid and/or rookie listed player coming through the ranks, I’d hope there is a constant checking in with realistic goals for each individual. There would be jealousy no doubt, when certain players are picked over others. But if they all work hard enough at it they should get their turn.

And you are right about the defensive thing for Cox, although he did play some of his under 18’s as a defender with success, so it isn’t entirely new to him. But he is enigmatic though isn’t he, can play multliple roles. From memory he did really well marking in the backline, and kicking long out of defence in the odd U/18 game.

Looks like his first game back was a tick, see how he can back it up - and most importantly, if he can get some continuity out there without being sidelined again.

With Voss it does seem like he’s being held back for some sort of development which from outside isn’t obvious, unless it is his defensive game - he does tend to watch the ball going the other way out of F50. His first 4-5 games in the VFL proved enough as a key forward, it seemed like he earned a run in the 1’s, but it didn’t happen. As you say, with Jones and Weid up and down, and 2MP out. He did go missing for a bit once he wasn’t being selected, so that didn’t help his cause. But I’m sure more solid performances and he will get his go - didn’t someone say he was in the 2024 planning?

[Suspended]

@darkknightpheonix

@Wanderlust

Think he played 3/4.

You’d think another 1 or 2 VFL games before being available for senior selection

will be interesting to see how this plays out. cos if he’s avialable for selection in 2-3 weeks, and gets picked, that puts a massive dint in the “the youngsters need to learn in the vfl, they aren’t ready” crews thinking.
cos on that premise he shouldn’t be playing at all this year (unless absolute exceptional form at vfl level) cos he wouldn’t have the body of work behind he all want for say voss, and he simply can’t have missed as much footy as he has and “be ready” of the token efc 2 games rule.

If he gets picked, esp as a defender this year, probably 5-6 of the other youngsters might as well either pack their bags or get out of the joint and find another side, cos that’d be a massive kick in the face.

Unless you have two players in mind who play the same position, the same way, with the same skill set and the same deficiencies then your point is completely irrelevant

Players will develop at different rates and will all be working on different aspects of their game
Not once have i seen anyone say all young players must develop in the vfl for a set period of time
Voss (for example) has clearly been asked to work on certain things and no doubt is doing exactly that

Edit: Just read your later posts and do agree with a lot of what you said

[smooth]

Happy to see he got through 3/4 of the VFL game and played quite well. Another 2-3 weeks of solid footy and he will be pushing his case for a senior spot.

[percolator]

I feel like Cox would be the ultimate sub, can literally play anywhere

[Coastalpipeline]

Yeah but when?

[Coastalpipeline]

That’s just it… 2 to 3 weeks for him yet Guelfi has a week’s then comes in.
What’s the hold back for?

[Coastalpipeline]

Voss is gonna ask a question or 2 later in the season. If he doesn’t get picked atleast the next few games, he might be going elsewhere @ seasons end.

[Houli_Dooley]

He’s built like Steve Moneghetti and has had a very long term back injury.

[Clone_Hirdy]

He wasn’t best 22 before the injury. Why do people think he deserves to come straight back in?

[Houli_Dooli]

VOSS Feels like Josh Jenkins all over again.
At least we had 2 -3 rucks ahead of him
Hille Ryder Bellchambers

ended up being one of Dodoro best key forwards though

[Walterwhite]

Cox
Redman
McGrath
Ridley
Kelly, Lav, BZT

Is a good mix down back.

■■■■ that weak Hind off after the bye for Cox.

[Clone_Hirdy]

I don’t get the hate that Hind gets. He makes mistakes, but he creates play by taking the game on. He’s not a big contested player, but his speed is something our team lacks after losing Saad, McKenna and Fantasia.

[bombers2020]

Don’t think Voss will go anywhere

[Clone_Hirdy]

I said the same thing about Saad.

[Coastalpipeline]

I think he creates too many turnovers.
His pace has gone to ■■■■.

[alex.f.94]

@Clone_Hirdy

I don’t get the hate that Hind gets. He makes mistakes, but he creates play by taking the game on. He’s not a big contested player, but his speed is something our team lacks after losing Saad, McKenna and Fantasia

He’s soft
He’s not a great kick
He makes poor decisions
He plays for free kicks and constantly argues with the umps

His one trick is running fast. Thats it. Thats his whole fkg game.

[Rom]

@alex.f.94

He’s soft
He’s not a great kick
He makes poor decisions
He plays for free kicks and constantly argues with the umps

His one trick is running fast. Thats it. Thats his whole fkg game.

Wow, and Brad continues to play him, I wonder who is right.

[2-30Brunswickst]

Yeah and until we find another defender who can break lines with speed we kinda need him.

[alex.f.94]

Put tippa back to half back.