Brennan Cox (born 13 August 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early career

Originally from Woodville South in Adelaide, Cox played for Woodville-West Torrens in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 2016. He also represented South Australia at the 2016 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named as the centre-half back in the All-Australian team.[1]

AFL career

He was recruited as a versatile player to Fremantle with their third selection, 41st overall, in the 2016 AFL draft.[2] He made his AFL debut in round 12 of the 2017 AFL season against Brisbane at the Gabba, after playing well for Fremantle's reserves team, Peel Thunder, in the West Australian Football League (WAFL).[3] Cox kicked a career-high four goals during round 12 of the 2018 AFL season, for which he received a 2018 AFL Rising Star award nomination.[4]

After starting his career playing mostly as a forward between 2017 and 2019, Cox made his debut as a defender during the 2020 AFL season.[5] Cox made a case for All-Australian selection during the 2022 AFL season with his ability to shut down some of the best forwards in the competition, he was named in the initial 44-man squad but didn't make the final 22.[6] Cox played 23 games in 2022 a career best and also averaged 16.5 disposals a game, which is elite for a key defender.[7] He finished the season polling runner-up in Fremantle's best and fairest award.[8]

Round 1 of the 2023 AFL season against St Kilda saw Cox equal the Fremantle games record for most marks in a single game, collecting 20 marks and 30 disposals.[9] He was sent forward the next round against North Melbourne during the last quarter after Fremantle struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, kicking a goal.

Already signed until 2024, Cox re-signed for a 6-year contract extension in October 2023 that will last until at least 2030.[10][11]

Brennan made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the Brisbane Lions, playing as a key forward. He kicked a goal during the 23 point come from behind win. Unfortunately, Cox suffered a hamstring injury in the final quarter after landing awkwardly whilst contesting for a mark.[12] Cox made his return to the AFL in round 17 of the 2024 AFL season after two weeks of managed minutes in the WAFL, playing as a key defender.[13] Fremantle ended up being 51 point winners against a struggling Richmond side.[14]

Personal life

Cox has a son, born in 2024, with Keah Waters. Cox and Waters became engaged in December 2025.[15]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 17, 2026.[16]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2017Fremantle36 10411565611247160.41.15.65.611.24.71.60
2018Fremantle36 1618141058018570391.10.96.65.011.64.42.41
2019Fremantle36 85231457629200.60.33.95.69.53.62.50
2020[a]Fremantle36 1300836514851110.00.06.45.011.43.90.80
2021Fremantle36 1200875514256110.00.07.34.611.84.70.90
2022Fremantle36 2311271109380146250.00.011.84.716.56.31.10
2023Fremantle36 2020210128338151190.10.010.56.416.97.61.00
2024Fremantle36 910673310048130.10.07.43.711.15.31.40
2025Fremantle36 241015895253114290.00.06.64.010.54.81.20
2026Fremantle36 13001125917171230.00.08.64.513.25.51.8
Career 1483228118072519057832060.20.28.04.912.95.31.41

Notes

  1. ↑ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ↑ Turner, Matt (15 November 2016). "Brennan Cox is the forward who wants to defend". The Advertiser. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Fee, Tom (25 November 2016). "Freo stand tall at AFL Draft". fremantlefc.com.au.
  3. ↑ Lacy, Bridget (8 June 2017). "Sam Collins gets his shot as Dockers drop Matt Taberner against Brisbane". The West Australian. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "NAB Rising Star Nomination for Cox". fremantlefc. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Why JL wants to keep Cox in defence". fremantlefc. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Two Freo stars in line for All Australian selection!". fremantlefc.com.au. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "The numbers behind Fremantle Dockers defender Brennan Cox's compelling case for All-Australian selection". PerthNow. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Schmook, Nathan (1 October 2022). "Purple reign: Gun Docker tops off dominant year with maiden Doig Medal". afl.com.au.
  9. ↑ "Cox equals Freo record on disappointing night". fremantlefc. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Docker for life? Freo defender locked in on long-term deal". The West Australian. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Key back's big deal!". fremantlefc.com.au. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Kirby, Aaron. "Brennan Cox: Fremantle Dockers star set to miss more than half the season amid surgery on hamstring". thewest.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "TEAM: Cox returns!". fremantlefc.com.au. 4 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "Freo gives lowly Tigers the heave-ho to continue top-four push". afl.com.au. 7 July 2024.
  15. ↑ Maher, Chloe (27 December 2025). "SEE THE RING: Star Freo Docker announces engagement". PerthNow. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "Brennan Cox". AFL Tables. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brennan_Cox