Collingwood tall forward Mason Cox denied Neale Daniher Trophy by voting panel’s ‘laughable’ call

Mason Cox has been cruelly denied winning the inaugural Neale Daniher Trophy after the voting panel’s “laughable” call.

Collingwood tall forward Mason Cox has been cruelly denied winning the inaugural Neale Daniher Trophy after the voting panel’s “laughable” call following the Queen’s Birthday clash at the MCG.

Cox came alive in the third quarter of the Round 13 clash on Monday evening, having dropped a pair of gettable marks in the first quarter and missing two set shots in the second.

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The 31-year-old kick-started his purple patch with an unlikely goal on the run from barely inside 50 before snaffling two defensive-50 intercept marks soon after.

To cap it off, he launched a handball in front of Jamie Elliott, who kicked another Collingwood goal.

Cox ended the day with a career-high 21 disposals, eight marks and six score involvements in one of his best games for a long time.

The American had never reached the 20-disposal mark in his AFL career before Collingwood’s 10.12 (82) to 8.8 (56) victory.

“It’s bloody fantastic to see,” Magpies teammate Jack Crisp said of Cox’s performance.

“I think our team, we play a lot better with him … he can take the mark really high, he’s crashing packs and doing really well.

“He kicked a goal on the run, last week he was chasing blokes down and tackling.

“He’s actually doing things a big bloke his height shouldn’t be doing.

“We love what he’s bringing to the table.”

Mason Cox of the Magpies. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

However, footy pundits were left baffled when Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver, who registered a game-high 43 disposals, was awarded the Neale Daniher Trophy for best on ground.

A chorus of boos echoed around the venue as Oliver sheepishly accepted the award after Melbourne’s 26-point defeat.

“Obviously it’s a huge honour to play in this game, what Neale’s doing is unbelievable work for MND. We appreciate it,” he said.

“Huge honour to play the game, Collingwood too good today. Hats off to you.”

It was later revealed that former Essendon forward Matthew Lloyd and three-time premiership player Cameron Ling both gave Cox three points in the judges voting, but the American didn’t receive anything from footy reporter Josh Gabelich.

And on Tuesday, Cox received a perfect 10 on the coaches’ vote, while Oliver was awarded a respectable eight.

Oh dear, how do you not give Cox at least 1 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/jAZrpXYkFW

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) June 13, 2022

I reckon Mason Cox was best on.
Poor early … but happy to give the 3 votes,

— Mark Stevens (@StevoMedia) June 13, 2022

How did Clayton Oliver get best on ground there? Yeah he racked the touches up but on a losing team and those touches were not influential. Brayshaw, Mihocek, Cox, Maynard all impacted the game more. #AFLPiesDees

— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) June 13, 2022

Clayton Oliver winning man of the match is laughable

— Daniel Joyce (@djoyce03) June 13, 2022

Collingwood coach Craig McRae praised Cox’s ongoing improvement in the post-match press conference.

“It’s no secret we go a long way back and to see him grow as well – he’s got a lot of doubters – he shows he can play at the level and confidence at his best,” he said.

“You can see him grow. He just gets taller and taller.

“I do believe Mason’s a better ruck-forward than he is a forward-ruck. We’ve been playing him a little bit more off the bench and he goes a little bit forward – and I do believe that is his best position.

“I think the game is so fast now and you’ve got to be on the ground more than in the air and for him to get the ball to ground is important for us, but then you see him buying into tackling and last week chasing down guys.

“I think he’s really bought in to what we’re trying to be.”

Speaking to Channel 7 after the match, Cox credited increased time in the ruck for his confidence boost.

“Now playing a bit more ruck, you get a bit more opportunity to get your hands on it in the middle so you get a bit more confidence,” he said.

“Sometimes in that forward line, you can get stuck on your own and don’t see the ball for a bit and then you just have to make the most of every opportunity.

“But being in the middle now, it opens up a bit more opportunity for myself.”

Collingwood will enjoy a bye next weekend.

– with Marc McGowan, NCA NewsWire