Cox re-signs with Pies, as former premiership star delisted
Mason Cox has declared “good times are on the horizon” as the American forward was finally awarded a contract extension by Collingwood.
Cox, who managed only seven senior matches this season, has inked a one-year deal, having endured a nervous month when his future had been a point of debate.
Re-signed: Mason Cox.Credit:Eddie Jim
The 211-centimetre ruck-forward fell out of favour with former coach Nathan Buckley and then caretaker Robert Harvey, but will have a chance to prove himself under new coach Craig McRae.
“I’m excited to be a part this talented young group of men this year and can’t wait to be a part of the journey. Good times are on the horizon and you fans should be excited for what’s to come,” Cox, 30, said.
Taken with pick No.60 as a rookie in the 2015 draft, Cox was elevated to the senior list in 2017. He has played 76 senior matches and booted 93 goals, including three in the 2018 preliminary final against Richmond. However, he has been unable to be a consistent threat whether up forward or behind Brodie Grundy in the ruck.
“We know Mason can play a number of roles for us. Players capable in the ruck and up forward offer great versatility to a team. We believe he has a lot to offer our group,” Magpies’ football department boss Graham Wright said.
The Pies added former Geelong tall Nathan Krueger through the trade period but lost Max Lynch to Hawthorn.
The Magpies are rebuilding in a year when Jordan De Goey is off contract and a free agent. De Goey has been training in the US and is keen to replicate the on-field deeds of Melbourne premiership match-winner Christian Petracca next season.
The Pies are also keen to have a profitable national draft, where they have selections 36, 38, 40, 46, 48, 55, 58, 78 and 79 and will snare father-son star Nick Daicos.
Under the AFL’s complicated draft points system, Collingwood and Richmond completed a deal this month that allowed the Magpies to gather almost 200 more points in this year’s draft to match any bid that comes for Daicos.
Meanwhile, Adelaide have handed Ben Keays a two-year extension. Keays, 24, came to the Crows at the end of 2019, having managed 30 matches in four seasons with Brisbane. He averaged 28 disposals, five clearances and six tackles in 2021, finishing runner-up in the best-and-fairest count.
Gold Coast have delisted journeyman Jacob Townsend, 28, ahead of Friday’s first list lodgment deadline but may redraft him as a rookie. Townsend was part of Richmond’s breakthrough 2017 premiership team, booting 16 goals through a stunning month having only earned selection against Fremantle in round 22.
The hard-nut forward has also spent time at Essendon and Greater Western Sydney. He played two games last season, booting three goals. The Suns have also delisted Irish category B rookie Luke Towey.
“It hasn’t been an easy two seasons of AFL football, particularly for someone brand new to learning the game like Luke has,” Suns’ general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said.
The Suns face a pivotal 2022, for coach Stuart Dew is under immense pressure to guide them to their first finals series. Suns chief executive Mark Evans and chairman Tony Cochrane have reiterated their faith in Dew, who has a year to run on his contract. However, four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson and Buckley could be among the candidates on offer next year should the season not go to plan.
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