Cox back for Pies tussle
West Coast have recalled veteran Dean Cox for tomorrow's clash with Collingwood at Patersons Stadium as the Eagles punt on fielding three ruckmen for the first time in four months.
The Eagles yesterday named Cox, Scott Lycett and Nic Naitanui to play together for the first time this season as they attempt to stretch an inexperienced Magpies defence which will rely heavily on Jack Frost, Lachlan Keeffe and swingman Tyson Goldsack.
Cox's inclusion came at the expense of first-year player Dom Sheed, who was the only omission from the side that shocked Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last Saturday.
Sheed, Adam Carter and Ashley Smith were named as emergencies, while Eric Mackenzie will captain the side.
West Coast played three ruckmen in the first three rounds when Callum Sinclair was in the starting line-up.
They won all three matches against the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and St Kilda, but then abandoned the three-talls policy, dropping Sinclair and rotating their pool of ruckmen.
The Eagles are believed to have earmarked their final home-and-away match at Patersons Stadium against Melbourne on August 23 as the official send-off for 33-year-old Cox, who will retire at the end of the season.
If the six-times All-Australian also plays next weekend he would finish on 290 matches.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said earlier this week Cox deserved as many farewell games as possible for putting the team first by retiring.
"He's earned the right to play another few games for the rest of the year," Simpson said.
"I've got no problems with bringing him in to play. He's a sensational player.
"I think we need to do it the right way."
Cox sat out last weekend's win with concussion after being felled by Richmond forward Ty Vickery's wild blow in the previous round.
His inclusion means West Coast will field eight players who stand 195cm or taller as they try to beat Collingwood for just the second time in the past 12 meetings.
The bold selection call was made knowing victory would take the 11th-placed Eagles within a win of the top eight with three rounds left.
A top of 23C has been forecast for bouncedown.
Sheed can consider himself unlucky, earning eight possessions against the Crows after being substituted into the match at three-quarter time.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley may have to consider swinging key position player Ben Reid into defence to plug a hole despite naming the tall in a forward pocket.
The Magpies recalled premiership defender Alan Toovey to shore up their back line.
Clinton Young and Ben Ken- nedy were named on the interchange bench.
Taylor Adams (finger) is out injured and Tom Langdon and Kyle Martin were axed.
Luke Ball was overlooked despite a best-afield performance in the VFL last weekend on return from a back injury.
"I've got no problems with bringing him in to play. He's a sensational player."" *Adam Simpson *on Dean Cox's recall
