Fremantle Dockers defender Brennan Cox has backed in young midfielder Neil Erasmus to fill the void left by suspended dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in their crucial clash with Essendon on Sunday to cement a spot in the top two.
In his third season at the Dockers, hard-nosed on-baller Erasmus has been starved of opportunity since being drafted with Fremantle’s No.10 pick in the 2021 AFL draft.
But with superstar Fyfe being whacked with a one week suspension for striking West Coast’s Jai Culley in last weekend’s fiery derby, the young Gun — who has starred at WAFL level — will get his chance.
Cox, who is still finding his feet in the said since returning from a nasty hamstring injury, said the former top 10 draftee has the capability to step into the side’s star-studded midfield.
“We have guys at Peel knocking the door down. . . performing really well and we have a real healthy list at the moment,” Cox told 7News on Friday night.
“We have people like Neil Erasmus who have been dominating down in the midfield. So they’re really driving standards at training and the boys are playing well at Peel which is good.
“I’d like to see anyone get a shot when they get the call up. . . and they get the ability to show their strengths.”
The Dockers engine room, featuring Brownlow fancy Caleb Serong, star ball winner Andrew Brayshaw and the lethal leg of Hayden Young, has been a driving force in their push for the top four finish, dominating clearances on a regular basis.
“They’ve been brilliant this year again, every year I feel like that just keep building and building,” Cox said.
“Sebba (Serong) is having an amazing year as well as Andy (Brayshaw) and Young and the pressure they put on the ball and the way they drive the game really helps us.
“So hopefully they can keep building and help with Sean (Darcy) and Dogga (Luke Jackson).”
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