Eagles hunt Pie upset as Cox aims for 300
West Coast games record holder Dean Cox is planning to play on into a 15th season in a decision that would allow him to become just the second WA-based player to crash through the 300-games mark.
The 32-year-old is just 19 appearances away from joining Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich in achieving the milestone.
Today, the Eagles play Collingwood at the MCG in a season- defining clash.
West Coast are one win behind the seventh-placed Magpies and need a big scalp to show they are capable of playing finals this season. They haven't beaten the Pies at the MCG since 1995.
Cox said pre-season he wanted to make sure he was still capable of playing good football before deciding whether to extend his decorated career into 2015.
_The Weekend West _ can confirm Cox is already planning his end-of-year break around starting another pre-season at the Eagles in strong signs he will ink a new one-year contract.
Cox is understood to be waiting on a likely start date for pre- season training before locking in his annual golf trip to Singapore.
A major injury between now and the end of the season could be the only thing that changes the six-times All-Australian's mind.
The Eagles veteran has played every game so far this season and averaged 16 disposals a match.
He reminded onlookers of his immense value against Greater Western Sydney a fortnight ago, racking up 18 possessions, seven marks, 30 hit-outs and two goals.
Collingwood still boast impressive on-ballers with Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom, but have looked more vulnerable at stoppages than in past seasons.
They are second last for hit-outs - well behind fourth-placed West Coast.
The Magpies are also ranked 16th in clearances this year.
Collingwood hope key forward Jesse White will be available as he awaits the impending birth of his first child.
White's wife Jodi is booked in for the birth in a fortnight, but the former Swan is on high alert in case the baby arrives early.
He told The Weekend West the birth would take precedence over football.
"It's pretty exciting," White said. "She's booked in, but she's feeling like it could come at any day, so we're on hold at the moment.
"Bucks (coach Nathan Buckley) and the club have been fantastic and really supportive.
"There's been a couple of days where I've had to leave early for appointments."
