AFL Player #13: Nik Cox 🦄 - Skipper called him 'the Unicorn' in an interview (confirmed!)

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 6, Rick Ross

 

[mcgrath_truther]

wasn't his best game by any means, but he looked more confident than usual yesterday and was considerably more involved in the contest than i think he usually is

 

[BrunoV]

wasn't his best game by any means, but he looked more confident than usual yesterday and was considerably more involved in the contest than i think he usually is

Was coming here to post the same thing.

In the last few weeks he has gone from looking almost entirely out of place on an AFL field back to raw/immature body that is finding a way to have a positive influence.

I don't think he was out-competed at any stage yesterday, for example. The skill errors I can live with because his kicking ability is first rate. Skill execution will come together as he feels more confident. His ability to absorb a tackle, free his arms and handball will also come with time. My recollection is that he was better at it in his first year than he has been since so that could be a confidence thing, too.

I'm a bit more confident about his capacity to build his body, particularly for roles on the wing and flanks (the body of a KPP is still a long way off). He doesn't look that far away for a wingman / flanker.

It's the silver lining of Ridley's injury. Cox probably isn't playing if Ridley is fit. AFL game time is going to be crucial for Cox as I don't believe he can really be developed at VFL level. The VFL is not great for the development of certain positions, half forwards and wingmen in particular because the transition game is so different (it's almost non-existent at the lower level). The tactical / technical deficiencies of his play as a wingman can really only be developed with training and AFL match play.

I'm going to stay optimistic about Cox. I believe he can be taught to become a wingman and that he could become of the best players in the position (given the set of skills and physical attributes he has). I can see him getting to the level of Acres who I think is one of the most influential and underrated players in the competition. It's essential for our list build that we can maximise Cox's talent because it otherwise leaves a pick 8 sized talent gap in the side / list. The flow-on is that it suits the other parts of our list build given the investment in Hayes, the recruitment of McKay and the recent additions of Roberts and Lual. If Cox is half back only he takes a spot from Hayes / Lual / Roberts when all indications are that we have 3 players with skills there who are really good long term prospects.

 

[mcgrath_truther]

Was coming here to post the same thing.

In the last few weeks he has gone from looking almost entirely out of place on an AFL field back to raw/immature body that is finding a way to have a positive influence.

I don't think he was out-competed at any stage yesterday, for example. The skill errors I can live with because his kicking ability is first rate. Skill execution will come together as he feels more confident. His ability to absorb a tackle, free his arms and handball will also come with time. My recollection is that he was better at it in his first year than he has been since so that could be a confidence thing, too.

I'm a bit more confident about his capacity to build his body, particularly for roles on the wing and flanks (the body of a KPP is still a long way off). He doesn't look that far away for a wingman / flanker.

It's the silver lining of Ridley's injury. Cox probably isn't playing if Ridley is fit. AFL game time is going to be crucial for Cox as I don't believe he can really be developed at VFL level. The VFL is not great for the development of certain positions, half forwards and wingmen in particular because the transition game is so different (it's almost non-existent at the lower level). The tactical / technical deficiencies of his play as a wingman can really only be developed with training and AFL match play.

I'm going to stay optimistic about Cox. I believe he can be taught to become a wingman and that he could become of the best players in the position (given the set of skills and physical attributes he has). I can see him getting to the level of Acres who I think is one of the most influential and underrated players in the competition. It's essential for our list build that we can maximise Cox's talent because it otherwise leaves a pick 8 sized talent gap in the side / list. The flow-on is that it suits the other parts of our list build given the investment in Hayes, the recruitment of McKay and the recent additions of Roberts and Lual. If Cox is half back only he takes a spot from Hayes / Lual / Roberts when all indications are that we have 3 players with skills there who are really good long term prospects.

big agree on this, but i do think that Cox will invariably play a different role than hayes/roberts. i almost feel like he could end up playing as a taller dylan grimes type if he can work into taking more pack marks.

 

[bombreys]

I think we (or at least me) would be a bit happier with him if he was pick 30 instead of pick 10.

He's coming along okay - looks like an AFL player, which I didn't think was a guarantee a month or so ago.

 

[bommer16]

What was his injury?

 

[Old Campaigner]

torn frenulum

 

[nipst@r]

I think Cox is only plays KPD in emergency situations.

Positioning for wingman and getting up and back has been good. Few weeks in a role of taking marks around the ground and also keeping his feet when outnumbered has been really pleasing.

Watching live he covers a lot of ground and seems to have really helped with our transition game and defensive structure.

I like wing balance of Cox, duursma and kelly/Martin.

 

[Blind Turn]

torn frenulum

That would be a tear just below his chin then, yes?

 

[ant555]

It probably no surprise that he is grasping the role a bit better now we are playing our wingers more defensively and having them push into the back half . The reason I was dead set firm on him not being any good as a wing was he simply kept running in circles not knowing where or who to go to. He was stuck between deciding defending the ball coming out of our F50 and defending his wing and using way too much energy getting caught half way between. It has been good for him that the role has changed to a more defensive style role as he gets to read it from behind the footy a bit more and then attack. It is like he is playing half back flank on the wing. Good coaching and the move is working for him. Out of the two wings he does spend more time as the roll over / cover defender where Duursma covers back but has a bit more attacking run.
Looks like he will be good on a wing playing that style of role.

 

[Blind Turn]

It probably no surprise that he is grasping the role a bit better now we are playing our wingers more defensively and having them push into the back half . The reason I was dead set firm on him not being any good as a wing was he simply kept running in circles not knowing where or who to go to. He was stuck between deciding defending the ball coming out of our F50 and defending his wing and using way too much energy getting caught half way between. It has been good for him that the role has changed to a more defensive style role as he gets to read it from behind the footy a bit more and then attack. It is like he is playing half back flank on the wing. Good coaching and the move is working for him. Out of the two wings he does spend more time as the roll over / cover defender where Duursma covers back but has a bit more attacking run.
Looks like he will be good on a wing playing that style of role.

And I’ve been a big advocate for him on the wing due to his elite endurance qualities a unique skill set combined with the height to take important release marks. If you’ve got him running out of defense on one wing while Wright or Jones lead up from forward positions on the other wing you have great options for our defenders to hit up. He can be an extra tall as a defensive winger or a dangerous outlet as an attacking winger who can use either foot to come inboard unexpecetedly when we’re pushing forward. It makes so much sense to develop him there when we have other talls to develop at either end of the ground.

I see what you’re saying about him being lost at times and still happens but he showed he could do it in his first season so there was enough there to be patient with. You need to take chances with players to make them into something more than role players. That is the key here. I know there is a lot of noise about settling a player into one position but I think Cox is an outlier just as Blicavs was. He’s a winger-utility. Forward, back, or midfield I can still see him being effective wherever he plays so long as he has continuity and confidence to build on.

 

[ant555]

And I’ve been a big advocate for him on the wing due to his elite endurance qualities a unique skill set combined with the height to take important release marks. If you’ve got him running out of defense on one wing while Wright or Jones lead up from forward positions on the other wing you have great options for our defenders to hit up. He can be an extra tall as a defensive winger or a dangerous outlet as an attacking winger who can use either foot to come inboard unexpecetedly when we’re pushing forward. It makes so much sense to develop him there when we have other talls to develop at either end of the ground.

I see what you’re saying about him being lost at times and still happens but he showed he could do it in his first season so there was enough there to be patient with. You need to take chances with players to make them into something more than role players. That is the key here. I know there is a lot of noise about settling a player into one position but I think Cox is an outlier just as Blicavs was. He’s a winger-utility. Forward, back, or midfield I can still see him being effective wherever he plays so long as he has continuity and confidence to build on.

They had to change the role to do it. It is not the same wing role he played earlier or last year.
He is basically playing intercept half back on a wing.

 

[Blind Turn]

They had to change the role to do it. It is not the same wing role he played earlier or last year.
He is basically playing intercept half back on a wing.

That’s good. Don’t take him away from the position in which could be a player-of-difference for us, but instead make the position more suitable to what he can give us at the moment. As time goes on you’d hope that his wing role will become more expansive. I’d love to see him getting more dangerous in the forward half too and he’s one of the few on our list who I could see causing problems at both ends of the ground for opposition coaches once we are contending for a premiership.

 

[Rick Ross]

That’s good. Don’t take him away from the position in which could be a player-of-difference for us, but instead make the position more suitable to what he can give us at the moment. As time goes on you’d hope that his wing role will become more expansive. I’d love to see him getting more dangerous in the forward half too and he’s one of the few on our list who I could see causing problems at both ends of the ground for opposition coaches once we are contending for a premiership.

Think that answers the Cox positional conundrum. Like the thread this year, seems to be finding his role and earning his place.

Really hoping to see him put a binder in a game soon (tonight maybe ). To see a ceiling that he can work to with improved consistency.

• Rack up another 6+ possessions.
• Unlock some scores from his spread and kicking.
• Whilst holding his competitiveness in the 1:1’s.

 

[Yoda_]

Couple of outlet marks the highlight for me down the line. He is staying involved for longer and hence having more influence for more important parts of the game.


Building nicely

 

[DERO]

Couple of outlet marks the highlight for me down the line. He is staying involved for longer and hence having more influence for more important parts of the game.


Building nicely

Agreed. Although his kicking is still a worry. Not sure whether it is decision making or poor kicking.

 

[Yoda_]

Agreed. Although his kicking is still a worry. Not sure whether it is decision making or poor kicking.

Decision making,

you don't need to be an exceptional or damaging kick if you make the right/good decision, see Caleb Daniel

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I like him around the ball, with his arms and legs flailing (he's surprisingly impactful),

 

[crackers65]

His confidence is up and it looks like he is feeling that he belongs now.

 

[nipst@r]

Last few years we have lacked contested marking options around the ground but Cox seems to have it. Doubt he'll ever be a big pack mark but showing the ability to exploit a 1 on 1 with his height.

Has had a good few weeks of improved hardness at the contest as well. Probably confidence thing.

 

[WABomber]

Shows some glimpses, really hope he puts it all together

 

[Donakebab]

I like him around the ball, with his arms and legs flailing (he's surprisingly impactful),

 

[fairbump_playon]

Yes he’s tall and even taller when he puts his long arms up to mark but his secret weapon is that he’s very good on a loose ball in congestion.

Also I reckon the dial has moved to 30% campaigner but it’s turning fairly quickly and I reckon he could become a total campaigner, which would really suit him. Tres edge.

 

[Vindicater]

Has been impressive. Hope it continues when Ridley returns.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

You campaigners are on drugs. He was actually not bad, particularly in the context of being like his 3rd game for the year. Honestly wtf is with you people?

I'm all about Cox and I am convinced he'll be a gun. Come at me

 

[TheFrenchCut]

Na but for real how can an AFL level player be this bad at handballing.