New Collingwood hero just same old Mason to family

BIGGER than Texas in last week’s preliminary final win, Mason Cox is now a hero to Pies fans. But to his family he is just the same kind-hearted and down to earth kid he has always been.

Mason’s father Phil with older brother Nolan and younger brother Austin. Picture: Mark Stewart

COLLINGWOOD cult figure Mason Cox may be a hero to Pies fans but to his family he is just the same kind-hearted and down to earth kid he has always been.

Bigger than Texas in last week’s preliminary final win over Richmond, Collingwood’s US import has provided one of the best Grand Final storylines in years.

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But after flying from the US to see him take a leading role on Australian sports grandest stage tomorrow, his close-knit family hope the script continues along a Hollywood theme.

Proud dad Phil said his family were joyously hanging on the coat tails of an international success story.

Mason’s father Phil with older brother Nolan and younger brother Austin. Picture: Mark Stewart

“We’re just having the time of our life,’’ he said.

“I mean, we’ve had some pretty good weeks but it just seems to keep getting better.

“He’s playing in the Grand Final.

“It’s unbelievable.’’

Cox’s home town Highland Village, north of Dallas, is a world away from the footy-mad AFL fishbowl of Melbourne.

After learning the rules of AFL, the family have witnessed “U-S-A” chants in Mason’s honour at MCG blockbusters, packed Collingwood training sessions and even city streets.

“It’s a thrill,’’ Phil said.

“They were doing it at a bar across the street and he (Mason) wasn’t even there.

“That’s what is really kind of silly — people recognise us on the street here, we go home, no one knows us.’’

Tom Phillips and Mason Cox during the Grand Final parade. Picture: AAP

Mason’s brothers Austin and Nolan now play AFL in the US and have convinced hundreds of Yanks to gather weekly to watch their sibling star for the Pies on TV.

“Nobody expected that he would come over from half a world away to go and do as well as he did but he just put in the effort day and night and you see it finally paying off now,’’ Austin said.

“It’s absolutely insane.’’

Nolan and Austin are lapping up Grand Final week. Picture: Mark Stewart

Despite his incredible story, Nolan said Mason was taking success in his stride.

“He’s really down to earth,’’ he said.

“He plays it up a little bit in the media and has a bit of gusto when he plays well and gets a bit of swagger.

“But honestly he’s the kid we grew up with.

“He hasn’t changed a bit in terms of just enjoying travelling, being independent, living away and he’s just a genuine, kind hearted person.

“You can see that in the way he stays after training to meet kids, makes hospital visits and goes above and beyond.’’

US news outlets such as The Washington Post and USA Today have this week jumped on Cox’s story but Nolan said his brother would approach today like any other.

“He realises that footy is in the grand scheme of things a very small part of life,’’ he said.

“He’s got a good outlook on life.’’

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