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The main thing Cox will miss from Collingwood
Nicholas Quinlan • November 28th, 2025 3:39 pm
New Fremantle signing Mason Cox has opened up on the aspirations he has for the side for 2026 after being delisted from Collingwood.
Having played with the Magpies for 11 seasons, the 211cm ruck/forward has made the move across the country to sign with the Dockers on a two-year deal through the supplemental selection period.
This will see him add depth to Fremantle’s ruck depth, joining the likes of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
With the move being described by some as a ‘lifeline’ following his delisting from the Magpies, the American has stated that whilst he’s not big on setting expectations for himself, he wants to help what the fourth youngest list in the AFL get better as they press for a maiden premiership.
“I’m not really a big fan of that word expectations,” Cox told SEN WA Breakfast.
“I like the word aspirations a little bit better because I feel that if you have expectations, it can lead to being disappointed, but if you have aspirations, you always have something you can try to accomplish.
“My aspirations are to try and make this group better. They’re quite a young group, and I’ve had quite a bit of experience in the AFL, even though these guys have been playing football longer than I have.
“It’s great to get over here and be able to get to know everyone and try to transfer that experience to this group.”
With his move to the Dockers, this will see him reunite with coach Justin Longmuir, who was an assistant coach with the Magpies during his time at Collingwood.
And the 34-year-old is looking forward to playing for a coach who is so meticulous when it comes to their preparations.
“He’s a cool, calm, collected kind of person,” he explained.
“He’s very meticulous with what he does. He’s very understanding of the game and gets it. It’s a very similar playing style to where I was previously.
“I’ve got an incredible amount of respect for him. I know being a two-club town of Perth, there’s a lot of pressure on him, but I think he handles it really well.”
While his ending with the club may not have been ideal, Cox leaves the club as a premiership player and as a fan favourite.
And when asked the thing he'll miss about the club, he did note that he’ll miss the Magpies’ fanbase that looked after him throughout his time with the side.
“The fans are probably one of the biggest things,” Cox said.
“They have a massive fanbase and…I feel like one of them over the years, and you give back so much to the community and to the fans, and you feel like you connect with them.
“It was a bit tough not really getting to say goodbye to a lot of people you’ve connected with and become family.
“Obviously, coming from half a world away, these people have looked after you and taken you in as (one of) your own.
“And for it to end so quickly and abruptly kind of sucked, but it is what it is, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that Collingwood gave me.”
Fremantle will once again start the AFL season against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
That match will take place on March 14.
