I can see Cox ending up as a tall winger - 2021 to develop his midfield craft.
Pick No.8: Nikolas Cox
Essendon secures the services of talented tall Nikolas Cox with its first pick.
12 hrs
Essendon has secured the services of talented tall Nikolas Cox in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
The Northern Knights product arrives at the Bombers via pick No.8 - the clubâs first selection.
One of the most unique prospects in this yearâs draft, Cox boasts remarkable athleticism for a 200cm tall, running the 20m sprint in 2.95 secs and the 2km time trial in 6:05 mins (third overall in the country) at the recent Victorian Combine.
Heâs a creative, efficient user of the footy on both feet, who enjoys flying for marks and taking the game on.
Despite consolidating himself as a key tall late last season, Cox has also shown he can play as a medium-sized type across half-back and on the wing.
General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said the 18-year-old had enormous upside.
âWe donât know what his ceiling his. He has an amazing engine and he kicks on both sides of his body, so heâll run around like a midfielder,â Dodoro said.
âHeâs a very exciting prospect. Obviously losing âJoeyâ (Joe Daniher) and Tommy Bellchambers, weâve lost a lot of talls over the past couple of years and we wanted to replenish that area of our list with this draft, and I think we did a really good job of doing that.â
NIK COX AT A GLANCE:
Position: Key forward/defender
Team: Northern Knights/Vic Metro
Height: 200cm
Weight: 87kg
DOB: January 15, 2002
Key strengths: Kicking efficiency, versatility, athleticism
Key stat: Ran 20m sprint in 2.95 secs
This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO , the clubâs official recruitment and list management partner.
Welcome to Essendon Nik. A very exciting prospect- skilful on both sides (may be able to lead some skill sessions on how to develop this abilityđ)
heâs got some serious hands. screams a key forward to me, especially with us drafting brand and reid
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Iâd be looking at him as a high half-forward/wing. With his endurance and skills he could become a great link player.
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Remember when Mutch arrived and the coaches told him to stop that and focus on kicking from a preferred side?
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That could go to either the âdeath of journalismâ or Grammar threads.
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@THE_DON1 was saying that Cox got smashed in contested marking against Eyre, last week at training.
That says a lot about Eyre⌠but I donât think his marking is overly strong. Cox will thrive on getting on his bike, and taking uncontested marks. Similar to Mitch Brown.
As a defender, heâll be the type that peels off his opponent and becomes an option as loose player.
Can kick on both sides and looks very agile. Very happy we picked a footballer than an athlete.
Without putting too much pressure on the kid, I could see him redefining what the modern CHF could be. Super tall, fast, agile, skillful, takes a big mark and can run all day. The modern day 200cm version of Nick Riewoldt.
Ohh baby.
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Heâs both.
Cox and Perkins seem incredibly confident. We really lacked that sort of strut and self-belief.
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so youâre saying he is already as good as Nick Riewoldt. Awesome.
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Looks like a great pick up.
There were some knocks on him in here in the lead up.
Any of them founded or was that pre draft subterfuge or trolling or both?
Better!
Classic. Luv it.!!!
His highlights are insane
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Can he be the big midfielder weâre looking for? Can see him being like Fyfe in the air but does he have that tough streak and accumulate ability?
The quote wasnât âgot smashedâ.
It was more along the lines of âstruggled a bitâ
So unless youâre the type who gets told âYou have a bit of a head coldâ and immediately books an appointment with an undertaker , wait a bit.
On the highlights reel, his contested marking looked more like a recently departed key forward- preferring to jump into or over the pack - rather than a body on body wrestling match.
Still contested marking
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