Clarence star Jake Cox reveals he considered walking away from TSL after latest injury setback

A knee injury which sidelined a Clarence star for more than two months left him questioning his desire, but a few weeks away from the club has given the Roos talisman a new lease on life. SEE THE ROUND 18 TSL VOTES.

Mitch Anderton of Lauderdale is chased down by Clarence’s Jake Cox. Picture: SOLSTICE DIGITAL

JAKE Cox’s latest injury setback left him considering his footballing future but the star wingman is back refreshed, refocused and ready to help lead Clarence’s TSL revival.

After missing nine weeks of action due to knee bursitis, Cox returned with a bang on Saturday as the Roos orchestrated a stunning upset of ladder leaders Lauderdale.

However the 29-year-old has revealed to the Mercury his knee injury — which followed missing a large chunk of the 2017 season due to a finger problem — pushed him into a mental hole.

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Cox took a few weeks away from the club to ponder his future but has not only found his love of the game again but also been re-energised about the direction of the side.

“There wasn’t much I could really do about it but it was quite frustrating watching them lose every week,” Cox said.

Jake Cox in action against North Launceston earlier in the year. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“I had bursitis underneath the knee cap and it was really badly inflamed.

“It was pretty frustrating not being able to play or anything so I took a few weeks away from the club and sort of got my head around it a little bit.

“I played all the games last year but the year before I missed 10 weeks with my finger and then obviously missing nine games this year I sort of wondered if I should just give it away.

“But the last three or four weeks I’ve been loving footy again.”

One of the most dangerous players in the competition in full flight, Cox has terrorised the Bombers in the past and was again instrumental in the 22-point victory.

He admitted there was some extra motivation to step up after having his colours lowered by Josh McGuinness in recent meetings.

“I thought about that all last week, I know I’ve got a good record against them so you have that confidence that you can do well.

“But Josh McGuinness has had my number the last two or three times so I was pretty keen to turn that around pretty quick.”

TSL VOTES ROUND 18

Launceston v North Launceston

3 Josh Ponting (NL)

2 Dakota Bannister (NL)

1 Tim Bristow (L’ton)

Clarence v Lauderdale

3 Ryan Bailey (C)

2 Jake Cox (C)

1 Ethan Jackson (C)

Tigers v North Hobart

3 Marcus Gardner (T)

2 Mickey Paul (T)

1 Sam Duigan (T)

LEADERBOARD

17 votes: Fletcher Seymour (L’ton)

14 votes: Brad Cox-Goodyer (NL), Haydn Smith (Laud)

12 votes: Bryce Walsh (Laud)

11 votes: Sam Darley (NH), Josh Ponting (NL), Mitch Thorp (L’ton), Sam Siggins (Laud)

10 votes: Ben Kamaric (G), Taylor Whitford (NL)