Essendon utility Nik Cox is excited to be piecing together frequent football for the Bombers in the back end of the season. 

Cox returned to the Bombers’ line-up in round 19 this season, marking his first appearance at AFL level for nearly 15 months after enduring a difficult run with injury. 

Speaking to RSN Breakfast on Tuesday morning, Cox cited the positivity around the club and his desire to be amongst the group as his driving factors for getting back on the park. 

“Coming from (junior football) I’d never had any injuries at all, so it was a bit of a shock and took a lot of work. To stay disciplined and do all the things I needed to do was tough,” Cox said. 

“It’s hard when you just love footy so much and you want to be out there, it’s great to be finally back and I’m excited about what we can start to produce. 

“We’ve got a great medical team at the club who are all really upbeat and keep you in good spirits, which is what you need.” 

Cox’s unique attributes at 200cm have generated many discussions over his best position, with Senior Coach Brad Scott deploying the 21-year-old across different roles at half-back and higher on the wing so far this season. 

For Cox, the ability to adapt to different positions is a strength he wants to keep using to his advantage.

“I like to keep (my versatility as my strength), and you obviously want to get some continuity in a spot, but whatever I’m required to do in the team which helps me play a role, I’m happy to do,” Cox said. 

“Whether it’s down back or in the midfield, I really don’t mind, but I spent most of my juniors down back, so I probably feel most comfortable there.” 

The Bombers find themselves with an 11-10 record ahead of their remaining two matches in the home-and-away season, with a batch of important players also in line to return from injury.  

With two tantalising fixtures against GWS and Collingwood to come, Cox is confident the Bombers can bring a big challenge to the table. 

“There is belief in our group that our best can match it with anyone, it’s just a matter of doing it more consistently. Being a ten-out-of-ten football team is what we’re aiming for, producing those matches as much as we can,” Cox said. 

“The reality is we’re in the hunt, we’re where we want to be. ‘Scotty’ does love to fire you up, he’s good at motivating you, (there’s) no doubt he’ll have something to get us going.”