VFL: Mitch Cox says he’s ready for his chance to impress the Brisbane Lions

VFL star Mitch Cox says he’ll ‘back my ability’ as he sets out to win a place on the Brisbane Lions’ AFL list.

Mitch Cox celebrating a goal for the Frankston Dolphins last year.

Mitch Cox has taken three weeks of annual leave from his plumbing job.

Hopefully for the VFL prospect he won’t be going back to it for a while.

The 24-year-old heads to Brisbane tonight for a training stint with the Lions that he hopes will turn into a place on the list.

Seven years since coming out of the Dandenong Stingrays, Cox is closer than he’s ever been to the AFL, after his 2021 season with Frankston brought him recognition from recruiters.

At last November’s drafts the Western Bulldogs considered him for the senior and rookie lists but ultimately went with other players.

Soon after, he left Frankston and joined Willamstown, primarily for work reasons (he’s based at Truganina).

Last Saturday Cox was at the gym when he received a message from Brisbane. He was expecting it; his manager told him the Lions had made contact about their list vacancy and would be in touch.

Cox met club officials at Marvel Stadium last Tuesday.

“It all happened so quick,’’ he was saying on Saturday.

“Next thing you know I’m booked on flights to Brisbane. It hasn’t hit me yet. It probably will when I’m out on the track in Brisbane Lions gear.

“I’m excited. I know I’ve done the work behind closed doors and at Williamstown. I’m confident I’ll go well. I’ll back my ability. I’m excited but I’m not over the top.’’

He’ll train with the Lions head of the March 9 deadline for the “pre-season supplemental selection period’’. It starts at 7am tomorrow.

Cox has taken a few bumps since his days at the Stingrays, where he was a Vic Metro representative.

Mitch Cox playing interleague football for SEFNL in 2018.

He joined Casey and played mostly in the Development League for two years. There was a stint in Perth but he was injured and never ran on to a WAFL ground.

Cox joined Frankston when he returned to Victoria. “Was getting five touches a game. Couldn’t get a kick,’’ he said.

At that stage it was easy to imagine him returning to his junior club, Narre Warren, and becoming a dominant local player.

Instead he resolved to get a wriggle-on with his football.

Ahead of the 2020 season “I went away and put the work in and got myself fit’’.

“I made a lot of sacrifices,’’ he said.

Unfortunately Covid killed off the year. Cox didn’t slacken off, maintaining his fitness for 2021 and producing his best season.

He averaged 21.7 disposals and kicked 15 goals, including five against the Northern Bullants and four against Port Melbourne (when he also had 30 possessions).

Mitch Cox with dad Nick after a Casey's VFL win in 2017.

After his star-turn against the Ants he went home and straight to bed, rising the next day at 5am for a 7am start at a work site. When he knocked off he headed to St Kilda beach for a swim and some stretching. Such dedication was an indication of his desire to find another level with his football.

“Mitch showed AFL attributes and if someone took a punt on him, that wouldn’t be a surprise,’’ Dollies coach Danny Ryan said at the end of the season.

“He’s highly skilled. He can play multiple roles – half forward, wing or go inside if needed - and he has a good understanding of the game and a bit of a killer instinct on finishing too.

“He’s found with fitness that he can get to more contests and hurt opposition more.’’

Cox was pleased with the season but would have liked to strike more consistency.

Still, he was prominent in the list of VFL draft hopes, and the Western Bulldogs were interested.

Cox said his brush with the Bulldogs “put more fire in the belly, if anything’’.

“I’ve been working at getting even fitter than the year before… I like to think I am in better nick,’’ he said.

Speaking of working, Cox is on the payroll at Cormack Plumbing. He said his employer, Peter Cormack, had been most supportive of his football.

“He’s rapt for me,’’ he said. “He knows how much work I’ve done. When he got the phone call he was chuffed, excited for me.’’

But Cox would like nothing more than to have to ring the boss again and tell him he isn’t coming in to work.