It wasn't enough today and it won't be enough next week when West Coast play Fremantle and Cox battles another giant of the game in Aaron Sandilands.
Although their battle will be a key indicator of the game and worth the price of admission to Subiaco Oval, Cox knows beating Fremantle will require a team effort. After Saturday's loss to the Swans he admitted things have to change quickly or the Eagles season will be over before it has even begun.
"Ideally we'd love to be in a better position and it's something we have to work through to respond to a challenging start," said Cox.
"That has to happen immediately to put ourselves in the comp. At the minute we are one and four. None of the playing group want to be in that position and it's a character test to come out the other side and work hard. Hopefully it happens next week and continues from there."
The turnover rate and a lack of pressure cost West Coast against the Swans, and Cox said it was an area the Eagles need to address.
"That's what helped us beat Essendon last week, is that pressure. Every side that's a great side are doing that, keeping the ball in the forward line. It all starts from there and everything else will fall into place if the pressure starts there.
"I think our pressure certainly during periods of games has been there, but not enough."
Cox said courageous decision-making would be crucial to the side's chances of ending its run of five consecutive western derby defeats.
"Fremantle have been great and now we have to continually train hard and work on skills. You don't want people going into their shells where they can't go inboard during games, because that's what breaks games open. You don't want to lose that, you have to make those brave decisions.
"You want players to take the game on. It has to come from senior players and young kids to attack and create. You see it from the best sides - they do it and away they go."
