Mason Cox has signed for two more years at Collingwood

One critic came hard at Mason Cox but Collingwood have significant faith in the big American and have locked him on a new deal.

Mason Cox of the Magpies Photo by Michael Klein.

Mason Cox called himself “just a role player” as his importance in the ruck increases enough for Collingwood to lock the American in on a new two-year contract extension to continue his incredible AFL journey.

The big Texan, taken as an international rookie in 2015, will remain in black and white until the end of 2025 and could take his games tally past 150 in a huge show of faith from the AFL ladder-leaders.

It comes after criticism from AFL pundit David King that unless 211cm Cox could become more dominant as a ruckman or a forward he loomed as a “a big show about nothing”.

“I think Mason Cox has a huge challenge right in front of him right now to become tougher in the ruck or more bankable as a forward,” King told Fox Footy after a six-disposal, no-goal game against Port Adelaide last weekend.

Cox has been sharing ruck duties with Darcy Cameron as the Magpies romped to the top of the AFL ladder ut has kicked just 13 goals in 15 games this season as a forward.

Ahead of Friday’s blockbuster clash with Carlton, Cox declared he was just doing his best to contribute wherever coach Craig McRae put him.

“Myself and Darcy Cameron have been sharing that ruck role, if someone gets injured the other takes over, and if he’s going well, I’ll stay forward,” he said on Monday.

Two more years of @masonsixtencox, who will remain a Magpie until at least the end of 2025 ✍️

He's come a long way from being selected with Pick 60 as an International Rookie in the 2015 AFL National Draft! pic.twitter.com/xvFEBYUnrN

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) July 24, 2023

“It doesn’t really bother me too much. I’m just happy to be playing more than anything. You could say I am a role player, but you can stick me wherever Fly (McRae) wants. I’m just excited to be out there playing.”

Cox said there was a strong “belief” the Magpies could win from anywhere, as they showed with another come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide last Saturday which put Collingwood two games clear on top of the ladder.

But that elevation above the chasing pack has not crept in to the mindset of the players despite what lies ahead in the finals.

“It’s kind of a weird thing, everyone is going to ask about the future and the finals,” he said.

“But we’re really just enjoying every single moment of playing ... and that kind of bleeds in to your game plan.”