Click HERE to download the podcastShannon Cox has come a long way from his days playing for South Fremantle Colts, with his defensive work having certainly improved since debuting for the black and white in round three, 2007.
Standing just over 188cm, the 23-year-old Western Australian makes up part of the strong back six of the Magpies' defence, a position he wasn’t accustomed to when he played at the junior level.
“As a junior I was a ruck/full forward, so I had never seen the back line till I came over to Collingwood,” Cox told PieCast on Magpie Radio this week.
He is still learning the position, Cox admitted to being “too offensive” playing as a key defender.
“At the start of the year I was too offensive so Mick dropped me for two weeks (rounds six and seven), just to go back to the VFL and learn how to play on my opponent one on one.”
After working on his defensive skills in the VFL, Cox returned to the senior side with a mindset that reflected what senior coach Mick Malthouse required from his backmen.
“I just worry about beating my own man, not letting him kick a goal on me or anything like that.
“My main goal is to shut my bloke down and just run off and continue to give Mick that run that he wants,” Cox added.
He believes his experience in the ruck has contributed to his ability to restrict his opponents.
“I move my bloke away from the ball so the ball hits the ground because I know 80 per cent of the time I can beat my player on the ground.”
Cox has been a valuable member to the Magpie backline during the club’s four-game winning streak. In last week’s win against Sydney, the defender had a hand in trying to stop the impact of Swans forward Barry Hall.
“He caught me a little fair and square holding the ball and I think he got a little bit excited and tried to throw me around like a little kid and he succeeded in that.
“Oh well that’s footy I suppose.”
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