AFL 2024: Mason Cox apologises to Giants after pre-game incident as Nick Daicos defends ‘authentic’ teammate

Collingwood star Nick Daicos at hit back at claims teammate Mason Cox was disrespecting GWS opponents pre-game on Saturday. And he has another message for Magpies doubters.

Mason Cox and Kieren Briggs contesting the ruck on Saturday night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Collingwood star Nick Daicos has staunchly defended ruckman Mason Cox against claims he was disrespecting GWS as the AFL’s investigation into his pre-game antics continues.

The AFL is working through their investigation into Cox bumping GWS ruck coach Shane Mumford on Monday afternoon after surprising both clubs with a formal “please explain”.

Both clubs were spoken to by the AFL on Monday, but Cox’s explanation was that he was trying to take back a Collingwood Sherrin the Pies had been using in their ruck warm-up only moments earlier.

The AFL’s view is that a player actually buffeting a rival coach out of the way as he was conducting a drill was unacceptable and much more serious than simple pre-game banter.

Cox said on his podcast on Monday he had meant no harm to Mumford.

“The very last (ruck warm-up) I was going to do, the bounce went outside the circle. And I asked the umpire, “Do you mind if I just have one more? He goes to bounce it again, I wasn’t looking at what was going on or what was happening,” he said.

Footage shown on Fox Footy on Monday showed the GWS players coming into the centre square as Cox finished his preparation with the Pies ruckman barely touching Mumford and quickly moving on.

GWS coach Adam Kingsley said it was a storm in a teacup: “I don’t have a gripe with it. I didn’t see it during the game but I have seen replays of it and who would care? It is one of those ones where he brushed ‘Mummy’ and then he had a bit of a laugh and moved on. It didn’t really bother us. The lead up to the game with him and our media team, the byplay was quite good. It was all in good fun and no harm has come of it.”

On Monday Cox apologised for the contact with Mumford and said the incident had occurred after he asked an AFL umpire to bounce the ball one more time as part of his preparation.

“I apologise for the incident in our pre-game where I made contact with a GWS official,” he said.

“In the moment, I was solely focused on getting one more bounce in – in hindsight, I should have stopped my run-up rather than completing the drill.”

Pies general manager of football Brendon Bolton said the club had reviewed the footage and were now aware of their responsibilities.

“We have reviewed the situation and it is clear it was a period of transition in the centre circle – our rucks were completing their centre bounce practice as the GWS midfield arrived to commence their centre-circle work,” he said.

“Mason has acknowledged that making contact with opposition officials or players pre-game should be avoided and with our Club’s support, will be more aware in future.”

The Mason Cox incident on Saturday night.

Daicos was on Monday unveiled as a new coach of the Team NAB AFL Auskick for 2024 and will join the leadership team alongside NAB AFLW star Katie Brennan.

He made clear that the Pies were strong on not disrespecting opponents, but believed Cox had not crossed the line.

“I think we want him to be his authentic self but obviously there is a line. We don’t want to be disrespectful to opponents or opposition. I don’t think Coxy meant it in that way,” he told this masthead.

“We would never encourage that. We want him to be his authentic self on the field and when he’s playing his best footy it’s when he’s got his swagger.

“I am not actually not too sure (what happened). I haven’t caught up with Coxy. Obviously the AFL is onto it now so that will run its course with the AFL. We love having Coxy as part of our team and we think he brings so much to the table, so we will continue to support him.”

Daicos was on the field with father Peter and his brother Josh when Collingwood last unveiled a premiership flag in 2011.

In recent days some critics have wondered if the club’s documentary celebrating the 2023 premiership success might have distracted the players.

Daicos told this masthead anyone who believed the unfurling of the premiership flag against Sydney on Friday night at the MCG was misguided.

Nick Daicos is the new Auskick ambassador. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“I try really hard not to buy into any of the outside noise. Everyone is entitled to their opinion

For me I use it as fuel. If they think it’s a distraction all right, let’s prove them wrong.”

“I guess everyone’s got their opinion. We are inclined to have deep wins and celebrate our hard work, which I think we did last year. And there was a lot of effort that went into winning the premiership. And you would like to think that you celebrate that and really share it with the people around you.

“And then I think we were also good at drawing the line in the sand. To start season 2024, “Fly” (coach Craig McRae) has been big on “back to work”. It’s been our mantra about working really hard. And adding layers to our game, so everyone’s entitled to their opinion. But I think that we’ve gotten back to work and that will show in due time.”

Daicos replaces Joel Selwood as an Team NAB AFL Auskick coach, with Auskickers to again present the medals to the winning team in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.

After starting his football journey as a NAB AFL Auskicker then rising all the way to stardom as a Collingwood premiership star it was a perfect partnership for the 21-year-old.

“It is something I remember doing in my Auskick days and it fostered my love of footy so to be giving back now is super important for me. One of the best things for me about seeing Auskick is seeing how much fun you can have. There are times to be serious and stressful when you are playing in front of so many people, but when you remember the fun times and the grassroots that is what makes it special still.”

To sign up your NAB AFL Auskicker for a chance to join the fun-filled and extraordinary Team NAB AFL Auskick, head to: afl.com.au/nab-team.

Reason behind big Pie’s centre-square act, ‘please explain’ issued

– Jay Clark

Collingwood big man Mason Cox thought he was retrieving one of the Magpies’ footballs when he interrupted GWS Giants’ warm-up on Saturday night.

Cox was criticised and labelled “bizarre” for entering the Giants’ pre-game centre square warm-up and taking a ruck tap from Giants’ ruck coach Shane Mumford before the match.

The AFL has since issued Cox with a “please explain” over the incident.

GWS small forward Brent Daniels said on Sunday morning Cox “likes the limelight” and was not sure “what he was thinking” disrupting the GWS warm-up in a highly unusual incident.

But Cox on Sunday night hit back at the Giants, saying there was “false commentary” around the incident as the Collingwood big man believed he was simply retrieving one of the Magpies’ Sherrins.

It is understood there was a mix-up around the football as the GWS Giants swapped with Collingwood to begin their stoppage practice in the centre square.

The Giants were practising their ruck work when Cox rushed in, put his arm on ruck coach Shane Mumford, and grabbed the ball in place of the Giants’ ruckman.

But it is believed Cox had tracked the ball and took the footy, knowing it was one Collingwood had used only moments earlier in their warm-up.

But Daniels went hard at Cox, continuing the Giants’ ongoing spat with the American product.

Daniels, who starred in the commanding 32-point win, said Cox was always out to grab media attention and suggested the big man failed to back it up on the night, gathering only five disposals.

Mason Cox and Kieren Briggs contesting the ruck on Saturday night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

“I guess Mason likes to say things to get a bit of a headline,” Daniels said on Channel 9.

“He likes the limelight but what he did before the game, I thought it was really bizarre, a bit of carry on I thought.

“I like to think we’re really humble and hungry as a team and to see that, it wasn’t a good look.

“If you want to do that you want to back it up on the field.”

Collingwood was contacted for comment on Sunday, but declined.

It comes as the Magpies attempt to improve their defensive operations for the clash on Friday night against the Swans after coughing up 13 inside 50m marks against the Giants without Jeremy Howe (quad) and Nathan Murphy (concussion).

Cox ignited a verbal stoush with GWS last year after the fixture launch when he said the Magpies would play their season opener at “a showground for livestock” at Engie Stadium.

But GWS chief executive Dave Matthews fired back at the “D-Grade comedy” last year and said he was unsure if Cox would be in Collingwood’s senior side for the Opening Round match-up.

Cox could come under pressure to maintain his spot in the side if his modest form continues ahead of a clash against Sydney Swans and former superstar ruckman Brodie Grundy on Friday night.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said after the 32-point loss he liked “the banter in footy” but was adamant the club would act if anyone in the team went too far.

“I like the banter of footy. I like the build-up. If it means a sell-out crowd, how good,” McRae said.

“I didn’t get caught up in the circus stuff around the edges of it, nor should I. I’m here to coach the team and we didn’t get the job done.

“The circus stuff around the edges doesn’t influence us. If it treads over the line we will deal with that.

“We’re here to entertain, but entertain by winning stoppages, connecting inside 50 and playing our style. But we didn’t do that.

“I’m OK with a little bit of banter.”

McRae said last year fans and clubs should embrace the “theatre of footy” after Brayden Maynard said Port Adelaide would have to bring its A-Game to beat Collingwood in Round 19.

Collingwood won the match en route to last year’s pulsating premiership triumph.