Mason Cox will get another finals lesson from Phil Davis, writes Dermott Brereton

MASON Cox says he can “single-handedly pull apart an A380 and then put it back together”, but learning to play AFL is a different science and his education is still continuing, writes DERMOTT BRERETON.

Magpies forward Mason Cox is still learning. Picture: AAP

FORMER Hawthorn gun forward Ben Dixon is clearly the best set-shot kicking coach in AFL circles.

And several weeks ago, Dixon met Collingwood’s Mason Cox for the first time when walking across the oval before a match.

Cox and Dicko’s conversation went as follows:

Cox: “Hey Dicko, any tips for my goalkicking?”

Dixon: “Well it can be pretty technical, just how technical do you want me to get?”

Cox: “I’m an aeronautical engineer. I can single-handedly pull apart an A380 and then put it back together again, go your hardest, get as technical as you like”.

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But playing football is a different science. Last week against the Eagles Cox couldn’t get his timing right with the ball in flight.

This happened in part because the Magpies midfield was under pressure — finals pressure — when they delivered the football forward.

The Sherrin came in haphazardly and low. This did not help Cox.

At 211cm, he is the tallest human ever to play AFL. So it makes sense that he will outreach any opponent thrown up against him.

Playing to his strength would be delivering a very high kick that drops steeply.

This would allow him to arrive just on time at the drop zone of the kick and outreach everyone else.

But if the ball is kicked forward in a flat, piercing fashion, it negates his height advantage.

Mason Cox spills mark in front of West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern last week. Picture: Michael Klein

In theory it would be beneficial to have the Magpies midfield kick it to Cox’s advantage every time.

But the mantra of every opposition midfield is to put heat and pressure on Pendlebury and Co.

So the onus is on Cox — he needs to find his way to the drop zone of the kick, not the opposite.

When playing as a key forward against very good opposition, the philosophy should be to base your game on “worst-case scenario”.

Because any bunny with a smidgen of talent that makes his way into the AFL can play well when his teammates are delivering the ball lace out on a platter.

But to arrive regularly at the drop zone of a hacked kicked or forward dumped ball on time takes real skill. The greats had this ability.

Add to that problem, if you charge too hard towards the ball in flight, you run the risk of running under the ball and not even laying a glove on the footy.

When Cox felt the need to attack the ball in flight last weekend, he was helped under the flight by Tom Barrass and his teammates.

There is a fine line between not arriving in time to mark the ball, and getting to the aerial contest too early.

Cox couldn’t get his timing right against the Eagles. Picture: Getty Images

Standing shoulder to shoulder, no backman can challenge Cox’s reach.

So whoever gets the job, the defensive spoil will be to incorporate the subtle art of moving Cox off or under the footy with body positioning.

While Giants defender Phil Davis concedes 14cm to Cox, he is the best in the AFL at this defensive art-form.

I’m truly still staggered at how he wasn’t named as an All-Australian this season.

That aside, Cox is a genuinely nice guy with a quick wit and an affable nature.

Davis is an extremely intelligent man just like Cox.

One way or another, Davis will contribute to the footballing education and journey of Mason Cox on Saturday night.

I have my fingers crossed that Cox has studied and learnt from last week’s game.