Dean Cox | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Dean Michael Cox | ||
Nickname(s) | Coxy | ||
Date of birth | 1 August 1981 | ||
Original team(s) | Dampier Sharks | ||
Draft | 28th overall, 2001 Rookie Draft | ||
Height / weight | 203 cm / 107 kg | ||
Position(s) | Ruckman | ||
Playing career | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
2001–2014 | West Coast | 290 (169) | |
Representative team honours | |||
Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
2008 | Dream Team | 1 (0) | |
Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Dean Michael Cox (born 1 August 1981) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Originally from Dampier, Western Australia, he debuted with East Perth in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) in 2000. After winning the Simpson Medal as the best player in the grand final in his first season, Cox was recruited to West Coast with the 28th pick in the 2001 Rookie Draft. He made his senior debut during the 2001 season, and played in West Coast's 2006 premiership side. A ruckman, Cox was named in the All-Australian team six times, including four seasons consecutively from 2005 to 2008, and was considered the outstanding player in his position throughout much of his career. He won West Coast's best and fairest award in 2008, and finished in the top three on four other occasions. Cox retired at the end of the 2014 season, finishing his career with 290 games, a club record, and 169 goals. He is now the assistant coach of the West Coast Eagles.
Cox was a naturally gifted sportsman who excelled at sports whilst growing up in Dampier, Western Australia. Played for Dampier Sharks.
His uncle George Michalczyk, a former Australian rules player himself, recommended Cox to the club he began his senior career with, East Perth.
Cox played colts for East Perth in 1999 and at the end of the season was invited to train with the West Coast Eagles in their pre-season. He impressed enough for him to be rookie-listed, however he struggled in pre-season training and was criticised for being slightly uncoordinated.