Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox debuts prescription sunglasses in season opener

Footy fans couldn’t resist poking fun at Mason Cox after the Collingwood star debuted his prescription sunglasses on Friday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Mason Cox of the Magpies looks on during the round one AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on March 18, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Footy fans couldn’t resist poking fun at Collingwood’s Mason Cox after the ruckman donned sunglasses during Friday evening’s victory over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

Cox, who has a frustrating history of eye injuries, was granted permission by the AFL last month to wear prescription sunglasses during games this season to assist his vision.

Stream every match of every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

The 31-year-old has undergone six bouts of surgery – three on his left eye, two on the right, and cataract surgery – since he was accidentally poked in the eye by Gold Coast Suns ruckman Peter Wright three years ago, causing a torn retina.

His other retina was also detached during an altercation with West Coast Eagles defender Tom Barrass in the 2018 grand final.

In 2020, Cox detailed how the surgery left him legally blind for a while during the recovery process the previous year.

“It was a bit crazy. I had to essentially try out a bunch of different contacts just to be able to see correctly in my left eye after bouts of surgery,” he explained at the time.

“I was clear out of one eye – the right eye – but I was overexposed on the left so the pupil in my left eye doesn’t constrict … I was having to try to figure out how to handle that with new LED lights at the MCG, which were blinding.

“Even halfway into the year I was essentially blind out of one eye.”

Mason Cox of the Magpies and Rowan Marshall of the Saints. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Mason Cox of the Magpies claims a mark. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Cox, who is now long-sighted in his left eye, used contacts throughout the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, but the sunglasses had a positive impact over the off-season.

But despite this, the unusual sight of an AFL footballer donning glasses on the field baffled spectators during Collingwood’s Round 1 win at Docklands.

Former Magpies midfielder Dane Swan tweeted: “Coxy bifocals though … just needs a bum bag and you could convince me he is dealing speed in the breaks.”

Mason Cox.. how good 👏🏼@CollingwoodFCpic.twitter.com/JMNV6iAYQQ

— Ryan Phelan (@ryanphelan_tv) March 18, 2022

Miles Davis and Mason Cox #AFLSaintsPieshttps://t.co/Zk3NBBNFge

— Rhys Muldoon (@rhysam) March 18, 2022

Cox debuted the glasses during the warm-up fixture against the GWS Giants earlier this month, with the American’s eyewear inevitably causing a stair on social media.

“The AFL has grown men running around in booty shorts and sleeveless tank tops yet people find me wearing sports goggles odd,” he tweeted last week.

The Magpies claimed a 15.12 (102) to 12.13 (85) victory over St Kilda in their season opener, with Cox contributing nine disposals, three marks and a behind.

Collingwood will next face the Adelaide Crows at the MCG on Saturday, March 26, with the first bounce scheduled for 1.45pm AEDT.

Mason Cox of the Magpies. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images