VFL: Mitch Cox in best-afield blinder for Frankston Dolphins

Poised and powerful, Frankston’s Mitch Cox is gaining attention after another excellent performance in the VFL.

Mitch Cox is exultant after kicking a goal for Frankston. Pic: Matt Walker

No doubt about it. It was Mitch Cox’s best game in the VFL.

There were five goals, 29 possessions and enough highlight-reel moments to satisfy a player for a month.

A dribbler from the boundary started his goal haul early in the opening term, a brilliant effort that the great Peter Daicos would have happily claimed.

A sprint out of a stoppage and 40m kick that brought him his second in the second quarter was probably better.

He slotted two more for the term, added another in the second half and walked off as best-afield in the Dolphins’ fourth victory of the season, 13.15 (93) to 10.5 (65) over the Northern Bullants at SkyBus Stadium on Friday night.

It was a pity there was no one there to watch it, the State Government having ordered crowds to stay away (about 140 diners watched on from three separate areas in the social club).

Cox enjoyed singing the song and some slaps on the back from appreciative teammates and coaches.

There was satisfaction for him, but no celebration.

After the match he went home and straight to bed, rising the next day at 5am for a 7am start at a work site (he’s a commercial plumber) at Truganini.

Rehab – a 20-minute walk through the water at St Kilda beach and some stretching – came after he knocked off.

Such is the life of a typical state league footballer, combining work and play.

Cox, 24, is having a cracking season, collecting at least 20 possessions in each of his past five matches.

Mitch Cox is having a terrific season in the VFL. Pic: Matt Walker

He’s been on a wing and up forward, but on Friday night, with Will Fordham, Sam Fletcher and Nathan Freeman watching on, coach Danny Ryan used him as a midfielder.

His improved fitness was to the fore, over four quarters; he went from contest to contest and ran out the game strongly, his pace and his power apparent.

Cox’s job kept him away from quite a few of Frankston’s pre-season training sessions, but he made up for it with his own running sessions, gym workouts and boxing at Stand up Fitness in Lynbrook.

He had himself in similarly good condition ahead of 2020 and was disappointed when he never had the chance to show it.

“When Covid hit it felt like a bit of a waste,’’ he said.

Cox admits he was unsure if he would stay in the VFL in 2021, thinking he might be better off focusing on work and playing local football.

People around him – his family, friends and work mates – encouraged him to push on and make use of a talent that had him talked about as a draft prospect when he was in his last year at the Dandenong Stingrays.

Mitch Cox playing for the Stingrays.

That was in 2015. He played in the national Under 18 championships and had some interest from AFL clubs, but nothing came of it.

He thinks he might not have been ready for an AFL listing anyway, and that he’s now a more rounded player and person.

From the Stingrays Cox went to Casey Scorpions and then had a stint in the WAFL, only to suffer injury and not play a game.

He joined Frankston in 2019, revealing glimpses in the manner of a magician. Now the Dolphins are seeing the best of his football.

“All the pieces are coming together, which is nice,’’ Cox said.

“I’ve done a fair bit of work off the track and behind closed doors, and it was good to reap a few rewards.’’

He enjoyed his midfield role but said he would play wherever Ryan put him.

“I want the club to go well. As long as we’re going well, I’m happy,’’ Cox said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about winning games of football for Frankston.’’

The Dolphins (4-3) went into the positive with their victory over the Ants, who lacked polish but not persistence.

Frankston’s lead had crept out to 50 points by three-quarter time, but the Bullants cut it to 28 by the final siren.

Still, considering their list of absent players and the fact they hadn’t played for almost a month, the Dolphins could be pleased with the result.

Captain Josh Newman (31), the fast-rising Connor Riley (25) and ruckman Jack Berry were excellent contributors on a night when the hosts gave debuts to Josh Stern and Alistair Richards.

Bullants forward Jack Boyd decorated the match with a classic high mark in the first quarter.