Collingwood big man Mason Cox has revealed he originally thought he’d retire at season’s end prior to earning a mid-year reprieve to the senior side, also confirming he’s hit a trigger in his contract to stay at the Magpies in 2023.
The 31-year old’s AFL future was in question earlier this year including playing just two games over the first two months of the season.
But Cox earned a recall against Fremantle in Round 10 — at large due to Brodie Grundy’s PCL injury several weeks prior creating an opening — with the American’s return coinciding with the Pies’ turnaround in their season, going on to win the next 11 games.
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And Cox, although not having the same impact as breakout Pies ruckman Darcy Cameron, has enjoyed an uptick in form since returning to the senior team to hit a games trigger clause including a dominant Queen’s Birthday performance as Collingwood surged into the top four.
Speaking to foxfooty.com.au, Cox opened up on his unexpected twist of fate and how he’d put contingencies in place for his next move after footy.
“I have hit a trigger for next year so hopefully I’ll be playing here. Obviously there’s always a chance something might change, whatever it is, but as of right now I’ve got a contract here next year,” he told foxfooty.com.au at a media opportunity at Collingwood.
“I didn’t really think that’d happen at the beginning of the year to be honest, I thought I’d probably retire at the beginning of the year.
“We played Brisbane in Round 5, I didn’t play so well and my brother was in town. I had a chat with him wondering what I should do. He said to make the most of the next 18 weeks left in the season and you’ll figure it out then, and to start putting stepping blocks in to be able to have something to walk into.
“I started a podcast, I started doing a bit more radio and did a bit more media — that’s something I’m passionate about. It helped me to have something to come back to outside of AFL and footy that you know you value and can take your mind away from it.
“That’s helped me in a sense to play better on field and have a more enjoyable experience all around. Playing games and winning definitely helps, but for a decent amount of it I was thinking that, if at the end of the year they don’t want to give me a contract and no one else wants to, that’s it,’ and I’d be pretty proud of what I accomplished.
“Things change and people get injured. people keep telling me footy is a marathon not a sprint. I’ve been fortunate to get another opportunity and be able to show what I’m worth. I’ve been very appreciate to be able to have that, and it makes you think back to some of those times when things were fleeting.”
It comes as Collingwood prepares to take on Fremantle in a do-or-die semi-final on Saturday night at the MCG after the Pies narrowly fell to Geelong by just six points in an epic battle.
Cox was limited to just 46 per cent game time against the Cats, but has previously had a knack for coming up big on the finals stage including his seismic 2018 preliminary final performance against Richmond.
Asked if he had another big post-season performance in him, Cox said: “I hope,” with a big smile. “But time will tell as they say.”
The 211cm giant admits he’s always relished playing on the September stage, and simply maximising every opportunity that comes his way.
“Sometimes on the big stage you sit back and think, ‘f***, how good is this? Let’s make the most of this thing.’ That’s probably where I get it from,” he said.
“I enjoy these experiences. These are very minimal times in your life they come around and you’ve got to try and make the most of them.
“I always find it funny, because I didn’t even know what AFL was and now I’m throw into this somewhat baptism of fire of Melbourne media, scrutiny and support and all the stuff that comes with it.
“To me it’s just an awesome life experience more than anything, it’s all about the journey and being able to play AFL.”
