American Mason Cox helping to make Collingwood great again

As Collingwood surged to an emphatic 42-point win yesterday, a familiar chant resonated around the MCG.

Collingwood’s US star Mason Cox celebrates one of his five goals yesterday. Picture: AAP

As Collingwood surged away from Melbourne and into premiership contention with an emphatic 20.13 (133) to 14.7 (91) win yesterday, a familiar but somewhat forgotten chant resonated around the MCG.

“Colllliiingggwooood. Colllliiingggwooood.”

The chorus was once a regular feature of matches when the Magpies were a dominant side at the start of the decade, an effective death chant for their rivals.

It has been some time since the refrain was belted out with as much conviction as yesterday, but the Magpie army have good reason to cheer as they emerge as surprise contenders.

Even more of a surprise, though, was a chant from a bay of fans that erupted as Collingwood’s players milled around near the race to enter their rooms some minutes after the majority of the 83,518 fans in attendance had left.

In what may well be a first at the MCG, the refrain “USA, USA, USA” was clearly audible drifting across the hallowed ground in celebration of Mason Cox. The American was not the best player on ground, but he produced the highlight of a unique career when he booted five goals for the Magpies, most coming at critical moments.

Later, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said the Texan’s improvement this year reflected that of the Magpies.

“It’s probably a snapshot of our development as a team,” he said.

Cox was inconsolable after the Magpies loss to Hawthorn in round 1, devastated at grassing mark after mark. But the 27-year-old has continued to blossom, building confidence while serving an important role in attack by competing to bring the football to ground for smaller teammates as the Magpies worked their way into the year.

Yesterday, the marks stuck and the goals came with regularity, with Buckley praising his improving match craft.

“He looked dangerous from the start,” he said.

Collingwood improved only one spot on the ladder to sixth with the victory, but their stocks as a worthy September contender increased significantly.

They now sit in equal-fourth on wins with Geelong and the Demons and only one victory behind the second-placed Tigers heading into next weekend’s bye.

A fortnight into the season, Buckley was under significant pressure given Collingwood had dropped their first two games.

But the Magpies have won eight of their 10 matches since, defying injury woes while unearthing considerable talent from defence to attack.

And those already showing potential have continued to improve, with a couple producing starring acts in the win over the Demons, who disappointed after stringing together six wins in succession.

Jordan De Goey opened 2018 on the sidelines with a club-based suspension after another disciplinary breach. But he has become a vital player and was stunning yesterday, particularly in the first half when he drove the Magpies into attack time and again.

At one stage, he was on track to set a new AFL record for forward 50m arc entries, though Melbourne captain Jack Viney slowed his rampage after halftime.

Established stars Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Steele Sidebottom continue to deliver, while Brodie Grundy was sound in an engaging ruck duel with Max Gawn.