Brennan Cox

Brennan Cox (born 13 August 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early career

Originally from Woodville South in Adelaide, Cox played for Woodville-West Torrens in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 2016. He also represented South Australia at the 2016 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named as the centre-half back in the All-Australian team.

AFL career

He was recruited as a versatile player to Fremantle with their third selection, 41st overall, in the 2016 AFL draft. He made his AFL debut in round 12 of the 2017 AFL season against Brisbane at the Gabba, after playing well for Fremantle's reserves team, Peel Thunder, in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Cox kicked a career-high four goals during round 12 of the 2018 AFL season, for which he received a 2018 AFL Rising Star award nomination.

After starting his career playing mostly as a forward between 2017 and 2019, Cox made his debut as a defender during the 2020 AFL season. Cox made a case for All-Australian selection during the 2022 AFL season with his ability to shut down some of the best forwards in the competition, he was named in the initial 44-man squad but didn't make the final 22. Cox played 23 games in 2022 a career best and also averaged 16.5 disposals a game, which is elite for a key defender. He finished the season polling runner-up in Fremantle's best and fairest award.

Round 1 of the 2023 AFL season against saw Cox equal the Fremantle games record for most marks in a single game, collecting 20 marks and 30 disposals. He was sent forward the next round against during the last quarter after Fremantle struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, kicking a goal.

Already signed until 2024, Cox re-signed for a 6-year contract extension in October 2023 that will last until at least 2030.

Brennan made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the , playing as a key forward. He kicked a goal during the 23 point come from behind win. Unfortunately, Cox suffered a hamstring injury in the final quarter after landing awkwardly whilst contesting for a mark. Cox made his return to the AFL in round 17 of the 2024 AFL season after two weeks of managed minutes in the WAFL, playing as a key defender. ended up being 51 point winners against a struggling side.

Personal life Cox has a son, born in 2024, with Keah Waters. Cox and Waters became engaged in December 2025.

Statistics Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

151 !! 32 !! 28 !! 1198 !! 737 !! 1935 !! 795 !! 210 !! 0.2 !! 0.2 !! 7.9 !! 4.9 !! 12.8 !! 5.3 !! 1.4 !! 1