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The numbers that show Fremantle Dockers Brennan Cox should be strongly considered for All-Australian selection

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
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Brennan Cox is putting together a compelling case for All-Australian selection.
Camera IconBrennan Cox is putting together a compelling case for All-Australian selection. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fremantle defender Brennan Cox is making a compelling case for All-Australian honours after yet another successful shutdown job at the weekend.

For the eighth time this season, Cox kept his opponent goalless as the Dockers bounced back from a winless three-game run to defeat Western Bulldogs by 17 points at Marvel Stadium and qualify for finals.

Young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was his latest victim, holding him to 0.3 after bags of three, five and two respectively in the lead up including a Rising Star nomination in the middle.

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In his last four games, the 23-year-old has only had one goal kicked on him, by Melbourne’s Jake Melksham in a horror Friday night loss to the reigning premiers at Optus Stadium in round 20.

Around that were donuts for Ugle-Hagan (round 21), Sydney forward Sam Reid (round 18) and Richmond premiership big man Toby Nankervis (round 19).

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Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg (round one), West Coast key forward Jack Darling (round three), North Melbourne veteran Jack Ziebell (round eight), Brisbane tall Daniel McStay (round 12) and Port Adelaide sharpshooter Todd Marshall (round 16) have also come home empty-handed during their time with Cox as an opponent.

Cox’s ability to be an offensive weapon going the other way is also among the best in the competition, strengthening his chances of getting an All-Australian for the first time in his 78-game AFL career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Brennan Cox of the Dockers and Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs compete for the ball during the 2022 AFL Round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on August 6, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Camera IconBrennan Cox of the Dockers and Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs compete for the ball during the 2022 AFL Round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on August 6, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He’s averaging 16.7 disposals across his 19 appearances this season which is elite for a key defender, while his marks (6.6 per game), intercept marks (2.5), intercept possessions (6.3) and spoils (6.1) are rated above average by Champion Data.

Brennan Cox - Matchup Summary by Opponent

Round 1: Elliott Himmelberg, Adelaide (0 goals and 3 disposals in 65 minutes)

Round 3: Jack Darling, West Coast (0 goals and 2 disposals in 58 minutes)

Round 4: Harry Himmelberg, GWS Giants (2 goals and 3 disposals in 94 minutes)

Round 8: Jack Ziebell, North Melbourne (0 goals and 7 disposals in 45 minutes)

Round 12: Daniel McStay, Brisbane (0 goals and 2 disposals in 72 minutes)

Round 15: Jack Silvagni, Carlton (1 goal and 7 disposals in 76 minutes)

Round 16: Todd Marshall, Port Adelaide (0 goals and 4 disposals in 51 minutes)

Round 17: Max King, St Kilda (2 goals and 11 disposals in 107 minutes)

Round 18: Sam Reid, Sydney (0 goals and 4 disposals in 49 minutes)

Round 19: Toby Nankervis, Richmond (0 goals and 7 disposals in 50 minutes)

Round 20: Jake Melksham, Melbourne (1 goal and 5 disposals in 49 minutes)

Round 21: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Western Bulldogs (0 goals and 12 disposals in 91 minutes)

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