Eagles ruck duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui hit the training track. Source: News Limited
A SLIMMER Dean Cox has improved his fitness levels as he braces for extended game time ahead of a new AFL premiership campaign.
The veteran West Coast ruckman says the new interchange rotation cap of 120 for each game will force top players to stay on the ground longer. Cox anticipates extended stints up forward, which was a successful ploy in tandem with ruck partner Nic Naitanui two years ago.
And Cox is confident Naitanui will be fully recovered from ongoing groin problems to play a full season after managing just 11 injury-effected appearances last year.
He is also adamant that Naitanui is the Eagles premier ruck force when fully fit and firing.
"Certainly if Nic is up and running and fully fit he is our No. 1 ruckman," Cox said.
"But I have also certainly said throughout my career that whoever is in there on the ball at the time, has got to be known as the No.1."
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Cox and Naitanui bagged 52 goals between them alternating between ruck and forward in a lethal combination that won them All-Australian selection in 2012.
Cox expects to turn back the clock to the last Eagles finals series in tandem with Naitanui, as well as emerging young ruck hopefuls Scott Lycett and Callum Sinclair.
"With the 120 rotations, that's going to have a bearing on some of the player flexibility," Cox said.
"Players will be required to spend more time playing different positions and for myself and Nic or Scotty or Callum that is spending time forward as well.
"I suppose that's back to 2011-12 where we spent chunks of games forward where we weren't rucking in the forward line."
Dean Cox runs laps with new Eagles welfare coach Mark Nicoski. Source: News Limited
Cox conceded he had dropped a few kilograms over his summer.
With an increased workload last season as Naitanui battled injury and fatigue, Cox bagged just 13 goals and suffered his lowest possession average an outing at just under 16 for the first time in a decade.
"Previously we'd be spending 40 per cent of our game in the forward line," he said.
"That was one of the pleasing things of 2012, when we both kicked mid-to-high 20 goals each.
"That's virtually like another key forward for us.
"That's what we need to do and we're resting down there, we're playing as a key forward.
"Last year, my reduced numbers are from the less amount of time there.
"The inaccuracy was something I wasn't too pleased about.
"I suppose some of the shots come from positions that ideally on the ground that I wouldn't like to try to kick goals from but also a bit of fatigue sets into that and that's something I will rectify through this pre-season.
"Nic playing a full season we will be able to generate plenty of attacking moves from around the ground and have an impact no matter where we are."
West Coast vice captain Beau Waters has suffered another injury setback.
Cox expects Naitanui to join full training in the coming weeks and to play some NAB Cup action into next month.
"I think he will certainly be back into full training shortly," Cox said.
"His running loads are great and his body is pulling up really well from all the training programs so far and hopefully it just continues from that as we ramp it up.
"He's such an important part of our footy team to make sure that his work rate is really monitored throughout the year as well and that he can front up pain free. That's the main thing."
Cox tips some distinct changes in playing style as West Coast adapt to new coach Adam Simpson, he stopped short of any bold predictions of making it back into finals after missing out last year.
"We're aiming for a lot of improvement and if we can get our best side on the park and adapt to Simmo's new style as quickly as possible, then we're good enough to win more games than we lose," Cox said.
"Whether that's finals or where you finish and how far into them you go is the same for everyone at the minute the expectation is to certainly improve.
"Any side will also surely say that they have had a really good pre-season as well and expect improvement.
"We're under no illusions it will mean a lot of work, but we will certainly improve."
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