AFL 2022: Collingwood big man Mason Cox could benefit from new system
A big practice match win could prove a huge stepping stone for at least one major Magpie who put his hand up for round 1 selection.
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Depth of leadership and better than expected kicking skills have been the standout surprises for Brendon Bolton since his arrival at Collingwood.
But the re-emergence of big man Mason Cox as not just a round 1 option but an ongoing threat in a new system designed for high scores looms as one of the biggest changes at the Magpies under new coach Craig McRae.
Bolton, who joined McRae’s staff after a second stint as a Hawthorn assistant, a period broken up by four unsuccessful years in charge of Carlton, said the new start at the Magpies had been “refreshing” as the opening round of the season fast approached and expectations started to build.
After training strongly on Wednesday, key stars Jordan de Goey and Jeremy Howe both remain in contention to be among “23 or 24” players Collingwood will take to Sydney for Sunday’s final pre-season hitout against GWS.
Final medical clearance later this week could decide if de Goey, who broke his rib a few weeks ago but has still been able to train, and Howe, who has a groin strain, would play.
As Bolton was peppered with questions about who could be part of the team for the opening round clash with St Kilda, he said Cox, who kicked three goals against Hawthorn last week, just hours after the AFL ticked off his request to wear prescription sunglasses in games this season, was “right in contention”.
Cox only played seven games in 2021 and was the last man resigned by the club late in October but could be the beneficiary of a new system designed for fast ball delivery to the forwards, a system that was on show against the Hawks.
“I’m not the senior coach so I don’t rubber stamp it, but (Cox) gave us a great contest up forward and in the ruck as well. He played both of those roles quite strongly first-up. He’ll be feeling pretty confident,” Bolton said.
“He’s pretty similar to the whole group: I’ve just found them so receptive to want to learn and improve. He got some reward on the weekend in terms of some goals, but there will be some games where he doesn’t get rewarded with goals and we’ve got to understand key forwards sometimes aren’t always going to kick goals, they just need to make contests and do their role.
“We are trying to move the ball forward a little quicker, that’s obvious. But there will be times the opposition can hold up and you just have to persevere.
“It wasn’t all a one-way street the other day, there were times it looked really exciting and times it didn’t. It’s still a work in progress. We are attempting to get more inside 50s and more scores.”
Jamie Elliott was another beneficiary of that against Hawthorn, kicking five goals.
But it was the leadership of Elliott, and others, that stood out to Bolton after he joined the club in the off-season.
“The one thing that surprised me, and it shouldn’t have because I analyse football a lot, but when you are up close you feel it, was the kicking skill,” Bolton said.
“The other thing that was surprising was how much leadership there is in the group. Darcy Moore’s leadership, we know about Scott Pendlebury and even Jamie Elliott, who kicked five goals on the weekend.
“But his ability to instruct and organise others, the internal knows it and now I am starting to understand it. There was a bit more leadership and kicking skill than I thought.”
Originally published as AFL 2022: Collingwood big man Mason Cox could benefit from new system
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