Why Mason Cox likes rival players sledging him on-field

Collingwood big man Mason Cox doesn’t mind copping a jab on-field, revealing how he twists the cheeky jibes of rival players into a secret weapon. This is the best sledge he’s ever received.

Mason Cox loves seeing American flags in the crowd. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Some people don’t like sledging but I actually like it.

I actually play better when people talk shit to me. The best one I’ve been called is a retarded giraffe chasing a butterfly out on the field. And I was like, yeah that’s a fair call.

The best way to shut them up is just to play well.

I find it funny because most guys are quite nice.

It’s kind of weird because in the system of AFL there is somewhat of a club within the club. You are in the same industry and do the same job.

Mason Cox is guest-editing Confidential in the Herald Sun. Picture: Jason Edwards

You talk to guys after games and you chat: How are the kids, how are the family, how is the wife and everything else. For every one person who talks smack, there’s 20 others who are super complimentary.

I’m pretty fortunate with the support I’ve had, but it is a unique and crazy story.

I’ve gone from never hearing of the sport and then training with guys like Scott Pendlebury.

It’s a really cool story. I do enjoy hearing the USA chant and I love when there’s American flags and I even saw a Texas flag.

MORE MELBOURNE CONFIDENTIAL

INSIDE THE EDDIE-COX BROMANCE

It’s like this game is in Australia, and it’s Australia’s game, but to see that is amazing. It’s such a unique and odd thing. I do enjoy it and it’s kind of a cool statement.

I noticed it more after I had my first proper injury this season.

It was a weird feeling to just watch a game. Just the atmosphere and sitting in the stands, it’s so much easier to see how play is going to happen.

I’d love to do some mentoring for kids. I just have a unique story and I can go through some of the stuff that I’ve had to deal with and a lot of kids struggle with it.