Barrass ready to take on US sensation Cox in AFL grand final
Related Story: Eagles in seventh heaven as they thrash Demons to reach grand final Related Story: Mason Cox the X-Factor as Collingwood stuns Richmond to reach grand final
West Coast Eagles defender Tom Barrass will be given the unenviable task of trying to stop American sensation Mason Cox in Saturday's AFL grand final.
Magpie Cox was the story of the AFL preliminary final weekend as he stunned Richmond to advance Collingwood to the grand final.
The big Texan kicked three goals and had eight contested marks.
West Coast overcame Collingwood in a tight qualifying final at Optus Stadium, and Barrass was superb in holding Cox to four kicks, two marks and no score.
But it was a totally different Cox against the Tigers last Friday, and Barrass is hoping to keep him in check by using his length to try to stop him from getting a clear run at the ball.
"Because he's so tall and has such long arms, he can reach the ball at the highest point but it's about working together as a back-line to put yourselves in positions to impact the footy," Barrass said.
"I think you have to look at both games and what you did well, and where Richmond might have failed a little bit.
"He's a quality player and he might lack a little bit of consistency as you do early on in your career, but he's shown everyone and silenced the critics that he's a real force to be reckoned with," Barrass said.
"He played really well so congratulations to him."
West Coast coach Adam Simpson is confident Jeremy McGovern will be fit to play in Saturday's Grand Final.
The defender suffered a corked hip during the Eagles' preliminary final win over Melbourne, and did not train on Monday.
McGovern has dismissed concerns about his fitness.
"It's fine, obviously it's a little bit sore, but everything is fine, I should be right for the weekend," he said.
Simpson was less definitive but said McGovern should play.
"Gov's just got a hip pointer that he's got to manage throughout the week, so we are doing everything we can to get that right, doesn't normally go out there on Monday anyway, he should be good to go," he said.
Part of Barrass' confidence in getting the job done against Cox is the support of fellow defenders McGovern and Schofield.
"What we do well as a back-line is help each other out so I think it's a real benefit having those two by my side," Barrass said.
"They've taught me a lot about my game personally and they have different aspects to each of them.
"I'm really looking forward to going out into battle with them."
Barrass will play his 51st AFL game in Saturday's grand final, and the 22-year-old is willing to dream of what winning a flag would be like, while not forgetting Brad Sheppard, Nic Naitanui and Andrew Gaff, who will not be there.
"Personally for me it's quite saddening and upsetting to see some of those boys miss out on playing in a grand final but it happens every year," he said.
"It will be sad for them if we do happen to win the grand final, which is the plan, but they aren't going to be the first people to ever go through that situation."
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