After producing a sensational debut season for the Swampies, Cox notified the club recently he wanted to return to the West Kimberley Football Association for family reasons.

Henty has rejected his first clearance application.

“Daniel’s contracted for another year and we will be holding him to that,” Swampie coach Joel Price said.

“Hopefully we can work through it in the next couple of weeks.”

Cox was the recruit of the 2018 season with the electric midfielder finishing runner-up in the Azzi medal behind Howlong’s Steve Jolliffe.

Cox led the count after six rounds and finished five behind the Spider.

While Cox’s brother, Dale, has indicated he will not be returning to Henty, the Swampies will remain a premiership threat with North Albury star Daniel Leslie signing and key players Damian Cupido and Jared Brennan recommitting.

Meanwhile, Howlong has picked up young Wodonga Raiders utility Aaron Spargo.

Spargo, who played eight senior matches in 2017, will be joined at the Spiders by fellow recruit Daniel Sharp who has been playing in the Southern Football League.