Footy legends call on Collingwood to end Mason Cox experiment once and for all

Collingwood’s experiment with Mason Cox has run its course and it’s time to move on from the American import, AFL legends say.

What does the future hold for Mason Cox.

Footy pundits have called on Collingwood to ditch Mason Cox from the side after he struggled during Thursday night’s loss to the Lions.

Brisbane beat the Magpies 15.8 (98) to 14.7 (91) and Cox came under fire for failing to have an impact, notching just four disposals, two marks and seven hitouts.

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The 211cm American has only played two games in 2022 but some commentators have seen enough to question what value the forward/ruckman brings to Collingwood anymore.

North Melbourne legend David King told Fox Footy: “I’m wondering what the function is that Mason Cox plays for the Pies. Because there’s just no influence.

“He’s 31 years of age — the experiment has run its course. Seventy-eight games he’s played of AFL footy, and just too regularly (struggles).

“I’m just looking at what he’s done. He hasn’t shifted a game or shifted a course of a game for a long time.

“I think the guy has no presence, no influence forward of centre, I just think this experiment has run its course.”

Mason Cox is out of form. Photo by Phil Hillyard

St Kilda great Leigh Montagna also weighed in, saying other players are ahead of Cox in the pecking order.

“I think we’ve seen enough of Nathan Kreuger now that he can play, and Darcy Cameron can certainly hold his own. They get Brody Mihocek back and I don’t think there’s any room anymore for Mason Cox,” he told Fox Footy.

“This list has still got a fair bit of work to do with what it’s going to look like in this future, and maybe they’ve got to give more young talent some opportunities.”

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes said Cox looked in horrible form but put the blame on Collingwood coach Craig McRae for playing the US convert on Thursday night.

“As a coach, surely you have to know how out of form your player is,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast. “They didn’t need to play Mason Cox last night, they were already so tall in their forward line.

“In his last six games he’s kicked two goals and in his last four he hasn’t had more than 10 disposals.

“He looked like the most out of form player I think I’ve ever seen last night, that’s on the coach for me.”