But now, ahead of this weekend's Group 11 grand final, Cox is comfortable enough to say he feels at home at Dubbo CYMS.

Cox, a one-time NSW Country under 18s player, has developed into one of the most consistent and versatile players in the competition since he came to realisation prior to the 2018 season.

"It's just me changing that mentality," the CYMS centre said.

"Wanting to train and put in those yards for the boys beside you when before I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and didn't think I had to train to earn a spot.

"The mentality at CYMS changes you as a person. It's not just helped me with football, but everything. I'm back in the gym, I'm eating healthier, and doing everything right so it's been really good."

Despite his talents, Cox still currently hasn't played senior footy for a club for more than two consecutive seasons.

After a successful junior career with the Macquarie Raiders, Cox made the shift to play in Group 20 with Tullibegeal Lakes, where he lined up alongside fellow current CYMS players Alex Ronayne and Matt Toole.

After one year in the Riverina he made the move back to Dubbo and linked with CYMS for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, where he split his time between first and reserve grade.

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A crack at the Queensland Cup with Mackay followed, before family commitments brought him back home and stints with Macquarie, Westside, and Narromine all came before the return to CYMS.

"My partner plays league tag here and she's always said she loves the club and we both really like it," Cox said.

"I love CYMS and wouldn't change it."

In a team loaded with premiership winners and representative stars both young and old, Cox has arguably been the side's best this season.

He, like many others in the lineup, has missed time through injury but outside that he's been a constant presence on the left edge and has made life difficult for almost every opposite centre he's come up against.

Sunday's decider clash with Wellington marks another challenge as he's set to take on the in-form Josh Griffiths, but with five-eighth Alex Bonham and winger Corey Drew also on that edge it's a real area of strength for the Fishies.

"Especially with 'Bonho' there giving that direction and the quality of passes he gives is unbelievable so that makes my job easier, and then 'Drewy' outside me and either Billy Sing or Wade (Kavangh) in the back-row so it's a quality left-hand side," Cox said, having spent time in the forwards himself in the past.

"This is the second year I've had a decent crack and in the centres, that's something me and 'Jazz' (captain-coach Jarryn Powyer) fiddled around with at the start of the season and I'm enjoying it out there.

"There's that bit more room for me to move around and gives me that bit more time with the ball."

There's a huge amount of motivation for any side heading into a grand final at Apex Oval, but the chance to win a title for suspended captain-coach Jarryn Powyer is a big incentive for the Fishies.

Powyer was given a two-week ban following his high shot on Cowboys centre Steve Gordon in the major semi-final win over the Cowboys, but a match played before round one of the Group 11 season this year is giving the Fishies confidence.

In March of this year CYMS made the trip to Marrickville and defeated Western Suburbs in a gruelling semi-final of the statewide Challenge Cup.

Powyer was one of a number of players to miss that game, but it didn't stop the men white from downing a more fancied rival.

"I'm disheartened for 'Jazz'. He puts the hard yards more than anyone else I know and to see that happen, it is what it is and football can be a cruel sport," Cox said.

"But we've talked at training and we went down and beat Western Suburbs without 'Jazz' and got the job done so we know we can do it.

"It's just a matter of turning up on the day and having a dig.

Cox said the key on Sunday will be not allowing Wellington time and space.

"They've got the talent from one-13 so if we don't get up and stop them then they'll have a field day," he said.

Kick-off on Sunday is set for 3pm at Apex Oval.