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“I haven’t really talked to Craig or the other coaches about the game plan and how it’s going to be played,” Cox said.

“I don’t really know the details to it yet. When I get back to Australia, I know I’ve talked to him [McRae] before and said we’ll have a proper sit down and go through it all.

“Last year was quite frustrating. I wasn’t at my best and was frustrated with a few things away from football. It wasn’t the ideal scenario for me.

“I think being back in the States, being able to get a fresh look at everything and a fresh start, I think it’ll be good for my career going forward.”

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Cox, who debuted in 2016, has played 76 matches and kicked 93 goals.

The Magpies have several issues to address through the summer. These include determining whether Scott Pendlebury remains captain, and the type of contract they are willing to offer Jordan De Goey, an impending free agent.

Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs are confident they can re-sign a long list of talent off contract at the end of 2022. List manager Sam Power has much work to do amid what rival officials have questioned could be a salary-cap squeeze, but the Bulldogs believe the lure of long-term success should help their case.

Those off contract next year include Bailey Dale, Tim English, Caleb Daniel, Alex Keath, Jason Johannisen, Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae and Taylor Duryea.

In other moves, Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has retired, this time for good.

Mumford, 35, initially quit after the 2017 season because of a foot problem but returned after a year off. He played another 44 games across three seasons, including the 2019 grand final.

“My time on the football field has come to an end for now,” Mumford said.

“I’m incredibly proud of all that I’ve achieved across my career in the game including winning the ultimate, a premiership, in 2012.

“I’m looking forward to remaining at the club and continuing to coach and mentor our promising ruck division.″⁣

Taken in the 2007 rookie draft by Geelong, Mumford played 21 games across two seasons for the Cats. He joined the Swans and played 79 games there through four seasons, including the 2012 flag.

Sydney, meantime, have confirmed Sam Reid will play on for a 12th season, having inked a one-year contract extension. In a year when he battled a major calf issue, Reid managed 10 games, booting six goals.

Small forward Ben Ronke and defender Barry O’Connor have also signed one-year contract extensions.

The Swans delisted Lewis Taylor on Friday but will redraft him and add him to the rookie list.

Meanwhile, Geelong confirmed they have appointed former player Matthew Egan as head of development after he spent time coaching at Essendon, Melbourne and as head of football at Xavier College after starting his coaching career at the Cats when injury forced him into early retirement.

Geelong have also convinced premiership defender Harry Taylor to return to the club as head of medical and conditioning after being in Western Australia for a year while former Kangaroos assistant Jason Lappin will work as a football analyst after spending the past year at Ballarat Grammar.

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