Mason Cox looks at the push to make the AFL more American and his favourite sporting traditions from back home

Whether it is mid-season trades or finals wildcards, the push to make the AFL more American is hard to escape. What changes should the game actually embrace? The league’s only American MASON COX shares his traditions from back home.

Mason Cox celebrates with Collingwood fans after a win. Picture: Alex Coppel

I’ve said it before and I’ll never stop believing it. Australian Rules Football is the most unique sport in the world.

But one thing I’ve noticed since I arrived down under is the push to change the game, to make it more American.

With each passing Super Bowl I watch in Melbourne, it is accompanied with at least one article about making the AFL Grand Final a night game. Every year I’ve been here, I’ve read something about a mid-season season trade period or finals wildcard system.

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There is no denying that the AFL is influenced by the American sporting system. We’ve already had plenty of changes and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come.

But which of these changes does the game really need? As the only American in the league, I feel qualified to share some of the US sporting traditions I grew up with and how, or if at all, they could translate to the AFL.

NIGHT GRAND FINAL

Boy has this been a hot topic recently. On one side there is 150 years of tradition and on the other there is prime time TV and huge advertising dollars.

As a player who has now experienced everything that comes with being part of a Grand Final, I love the day game. It is unique and puts the AFL in a class of its own compared to other sports.

However, I can almost guarantee it will become a night game eventually. Money will win out and the prospect of making the Grand Final more than just a game for the fans will succeed.

The halftime entertainment will be enough for the TV networks to force it to either a twilight or night game as the acts get bigger and the theatrics become more extravagant.

However, whatever we do, can we agree to not book Meat Loaf again? I’ve seen the footage. It wasn’t pretty.

Mason Cox loved the unique aspects of the day Grand Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT AND TAILGATING

Now this is something from back home I think Aussie footy fans would really enjoy. For anyone who has ever experienced ‘tailgating’ at a college football or NFL game, it can almost be as entertaining as the game itself. For those who haven’t, fans roll up to the game hours before, set up their barbecues, cook up a storm and enjoy a range of live entertainment before kick-off.

Now imagine that but with an Aussie BBQ, drinks and food trucks in the Olympic Park precinct. I think it would be an amazing sight.

We have one of the most unique atmospheres here in Melbourne with all the different sports happening so close together.

I’d love to see a space set up with facilities to attract people leading up to games with projectors streaming other matches or sports, live music, and plenty of kids entertainment which can make it a full day event for families and fans to come and be a part of a buzzing atmosphere.

It might take a few different sports working together but I’ve seen how much fans get out of this. The potential to add another element to their game day experience is enormous.

Once was probably enough for Meat Loaf.

GAME DAY ATTIRE

The outfits that made it to the red carpet at AFLX were straight out of the US sports handbook and almost overshadowed the event itself. It became a “who wore it better” debate and everyone loved how the players were able to have a bit of fun with it.

My personal favourite was Alex Rance zooming past the cameras on his electric skateboard.

I can appreciate the contribution that sponsors make by being represented on our kit, but you can imagine how amusing it would be for the fans tuning in for the pre-game.

It gives players an opportunity to express themselves and I think it will only add to the TV broadcast in terms of material that they can use. Could you imagine how excited Roaming Brian would be if he was able to interview players about their outfits pre-game? Surely that would be entertaining enough for people to want to watch!

Next level! Alex Rance has arrived 😎#AFLX pic.twitter.com/RKMFIef7ek

— AFL (@AFL) February 22, 2019

ON-FIELD ATTIRE

Expression through pre-game outfits might just be the start. I’d love to see it extended to on field attire for

special fundraiser matches.

Obviously there is no changing of club colours, so back home the main way athletes do this is with their shoes.

In recent years custom boots have become a big part of Indigenous Round as a sign of unity and support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities and fellow players.

This is an amazing cause and the positivity that comes from this could be something we see even more in the future.

Jack Martin’s special boots for Indigenous Round. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Imagine having a team with custom boots for games such as MND Round or Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision game. With the exposure and opportunity to sell the boots and donate the money, this could be huge in terms of raising funds for these amazing causes.

I personally played in custom boots for multicultural round last year which raised $2000 and then led to a donation of $25,000 from the AFLPA to Rural Aid Australia to help communities in fire affected areas. There is potential to help others through things like this and I think, at its core, that is what sport is. The ability to bring communities together.

NAMES ON JUMPERS

This is a bit of a personal one for me but I believe it’s time to help us international players out. When I first arrived in Australia it was tough enough getting my head around the game without then having to worry about the 700 players at rival clubs. As a side note — thanks to all the Carlton fans who now constantly remind me who ‘Daisy’ Thomas is.

Even now I struggle to know all the incoming players each year.

I don’t think also having a name on the jumper takes away from the traditional number on the back. There are always going to be players that come to mind when you think of a number for a team.

Take for example the No. 5 at Collingwood. Although, I still don’t know if kids are running around in Nathan Buckley jumpers or Jamie Elliott jumpers.