Making up for lost time: ‘Unicorn’ Nik Cox wants to repay the faith of Essendon coach Brad Scott

Despite several pundits’ attempts to pigeonhole him into his best position, Essendon’s ‘Unicorn’ Nik Cox speaks to JOSH BARNES about wanting to remain versatile across any position.

Nik Cox of the Bombers marks during the round one AFL match against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Reinvigorated utility Nik Cox has declared he wants to stay at Essendon long-term as he believes he has ended his “horror run” of injuries.

The versatile tall stepped up after Zach Reid went down with another hamstring injury in Saturday’s win over Hawthorn, elevating into a taller role in defence and quelling Jack Gunston in a couple of vital contests to help secure a round 1 win.

As usual, Cox was deployed across the field, starting each quarter on the wing and playing as a running halfback and key back when needed.

Once dubbed the ‘Unicorn’ for his unique physical traits, the 200cm 22-year-old was held down by back and ankle injuries during 2023 and has only played 11 games across the last two seasons.

He admitted he felt unsure about his body last year but has since vowed to go hard to shrug off his woes.

Nik Cox of the Bombers marks during the round one AFL match against Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“Last year when I came back in the back-end (of the season) I was a bit tentative with my body and had a horror run for two years but you can’t control injuries and footy is a wild sport,” he said.

“There is no sport like it in the world so if it happens, it happens and I will deal with that. I am just trying to attack the footy, be physical and I think when you are tentative, that is when you put yourself in the bad positions and can get hurt.”

Cox said he was happy to rotate through the wing, defence and even the ruck if it meant he could secure a spot in Brad Scott’s team.

“I want to keep that versatility,” he said.

“Whether it’s going on the wing or in the ruck or going back to be a key back, I need to be versatile. That is a big strength of mine and gives us a bit of flexibility as well hopefully.”

Cox is one of a number of Essendon players searching for a new contract this year, alongside Andy McGrath, Archie Perkins and Jake Stringer.

He said he hadn’t “even thought about it to be honest” but wanted to ink a new deal with the Bombers.

“I will let my management and everything take care of that,” he said.

“I love being here so much. They took a chance on me and I want to do everything I can to pay them back.”

Originally published as Making up for lost time: ‘Unicorn’ Nik Cox wants to repay the faith of Essendon coach Brad Scott