Longmuir: Key back ruled out of Sydney prelim

Brennan Cox will not travel to Sydney for the Dockers’ preliminary final.

Coach Justin Longmuir confirmed Fremantle will take a squad of 25, with Cox to remain in Perth and play on Sunday as he continues his return.

“He got through the training session well”. Longmuir said.

“Unfortunately, though, he won’t make the trip.

“We feel like he’s in a good spot. He couldn’t have done much more. It’s just going into a prelim, in his position, it’s a tough ask.

“So, he’ll stay behind and play Sunday”. Like I said to him yesterday, next week will be next week.”

Cox’s season may not be over yet.

If Fremantle wins and Cox gets through Sunday’s WAFL Grand Final and recovers well, he could come back into selection contention.

“He was disappointed, but he’s such a mature person and a guy of great character, so he understood what’s ahead of him,” Longmuir said.

“He won’t give up any hope of us winning and him playing next week.”

Longmuir also dismissed the focus on Sydney’s missing players.

“I think everyone’s caught up in who they have out of the team rather than who they have in the team,” he said.

“We’re not going out there thinking it’s going to be an easy job.

“We’ve got to play our best footy this weekend to be able to challenge them.”

Longmuir said his young group is being driven by the chance to deliver success for Fremantle supporters.

“We’ve got a really determined group of young players who are desperate to have success themselves, but also bring the Fremantle community success,” he said.

“That’s what’s motivating them.”