Fremantle Dockers pair Brennan Cox and Jordan Clark open up about vulnerability meetings for defenders

Fremantle’s backmen are crediting new vulnerability sessions as being one of the most crucial reasons behind their success this year as players open up about their personal lives and express love for their teammates. The Dockers defenders have gone out of their way to communicate feelings they would normally keep to themselves so they can form stronger bonds and build trust. Brennan Cox said those sessions, introduced by new assistant coach Jade Rawlings, made him feel uncomfortable at the start of the season but have now totally changed the relationships within the defensive group. “At the start you had the vulnerability piece and it was hard to do, but now it feels natural. It’s hard to be vulnerable at times, but I feel like now we are so much closer because of it and it has become easier,” Cox told The West Australian. “In the backline group, we will talk about our lives off the field and what we enjoy about the other person. “We’re sharing what we like about each other and getting into deeper meanings and feelings. We trust each other even more because of that. “He’s (Rawlings) really driven that since coming to the club. You don’t really know what’s going on in other people’s lives. So we’ve had those sessions. “Then it’s on-field stuff and what you think makes your teammate a great player and what brings their strengths out.” Richmond famously used a similar theme of vulnerability to drive them to their first premiership in 2017. The Tigers held HHH sessions, where players talked about a Hardship, a Highlight and a Hero. Half-back Jordan Clark said the focus on relationships was on show following Saturday’s western derby as Cox, Jaeger O’Meara and Shai Bolton brought their children into the team song. He said all of the work that had been done behind the scenes had made the squad stronger. “We want to be a family as this group evolves,” Clark explained. “Now we’re starting to see boys bring their kids through. In the team song, there were three kids or babies in the circle. It’s a great club to be around at the moment. It’s evolving in that area. From young men to fathers and families being involved. “It’s very hard, especially when you are the individual that’s opening up. It’s tough. But you walk away from it with a greater sense of care and compassion for your teammate and you actually get to learn about what makes them tick. There’s so many blokes in the changeroom, you wouldn’t know deep down what every bloke is going through.” Cox said he’d also taken great confidence from hearing his teammates reveal what they love about the way he plays. Cox has been a mainstay in the backline but said he had no idea how other players viewed him. “Things like composure and keeping a calm head, they speak about and how that keeps them calm,” he said. “I didn’t know it had an impact on them as players. It makes you realise what impact you can have.”