DEAN Cox is one of the best players of the modern era, West Coast teammate Jamie Cripps says.
Cox equalled West Coast's games record in Saturday night's 25-point win over St Kilda at Patersons Stadium, joining four-time Eagles best and fairest Glen Jakovich on 276 matches for the club.
Cox had 15 disposals and 34 hit-outs but the highlight of the night was his goal on the run in the last quarter to seal the win. Cripps had the chance to kick the goal after receiving the ball 25m in the clear on the wing but handed it to Cox as he loped inside 50.
"I thought I'd better give him the goal," Cripps said.
"It's an awesome feeling around the club. The boys are up and about. It was (Chris Masten's) 100th as well and we had Brant Colledge's first game so it was a big night for us and a good win."
Cripps, who played 16 matches with St Kilda before joining the Eagles ahead of the 2013 season, is in awe of Cox's all-round ability as a footballer.
"He's an awesome player," Cripps said.
"He's nearly got the best skills at the club kicking both left and right foot really well. Coming in from outside I didn't know he was this good but he's one of the best footballers I've seen."
Eagles coach Adam Simpson says the publicity surrounding the milestone had been low-key due to Cox's attitude but also the fact that he will likely break the record outright against Geelong in round four.
"He breaks the record this week if he gets a game. He's in the mix," Simpson joked.
"We haven't made a massive deal of it [because] that's Coxy's nature.
"I was really happy with how he played tonight and in the end he contributed well."
