Cox to Cox

[s'dreams]

Bombers in talks for Mason Cox
By Sam McClure and Michael Gleeson
October 8, 2019 — 3.22pm

The Bombers have sounded out Collingwood about the contracted forward and ruck, who would shape as a positional replacement in the event that they accede to Joe Daniher's request for a trade to Sydney.

Talks are at an early stage but discussions have centred on a deal for a future draft pick for the former American college basketballer. The clubs remain a distance apart on trade terms.

Cox is in Sydney and is returning home to Texas for a holiday on Thursday morning. If Essendon want to do a medical it will have to be done on Wednesday either in Melbourne or Sydney.

Speculation around interest in Cox was first raised when the Collingwood big man was seen at Essendon's headquarters at Tullamarine in grand final week. That attendance turned out to be innocent as he was there for a child's party or clinic, but since then sources suggest the connection between Cox and Essendon has grown and trade discussions have begun.

The tallest player in the AFL, Cox has been used primarily as a forward and second ruck at Collingwood, which is the type of role Daniher plays.
Essendon have shown interest in Collingwood's Mason Cox.

Essendon have shown interest in Collingwood's Mason Cox.Credit:AAP

When he was last out of contract in 2017, Cox received a significant offer from the Brisbane Lions, who saw him as a better ruckman than forward and planned to play him more in the ruck.

Collingwood re-signed Cox then on a significant contract in 2017 fearing he could have walked to bottom-of-the-ladder Brisbane for nothing through the pre-season draft. He is contracted for next year with a trigger for 2021.

Given injuries in recent years to both Daniher and Tom Bellchambers, Cox could be an additional ruck choice and not just a contingency plan for Daniher.

It is highly unlikely though that the Bombers could afford to bring him in if they did not get money out of their salary cap.

There is lingering uncertainty over the future of small forward Orazio Fantasia at the Bombers.

Cox is on a significant contract and Collingwood will be under pressure over the next 12 months to re-sign Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Brodie Grundy, who are all coming out of contract at the end of next season and will command significant contracts.

Grundy and his manager Paul Connors have indicated already that the dual All-Australian ruckman, Grundy, will want a seven-year term for his next contract.

[s'dreams]

Now the club says that we are not thinking about trading Cox in... Although Collingwood is trying to loosen its salary cap by clearing out overpaid players to make room to accommodate Grundy.

Why muck around with the monkey when you could attract the organ grinder?

Just conjecturing but would we be interested in a 7 year deal for Grundy at premium $ (I would imaging $1M a year)?

[nudder12]

First and foremost - I wouldn't want Mason Cox at Essendon in a pink fit.
I haven't seen any reports that we are not interested in him.
And if we are, it's a bit weird that he would supposedly require a big dent in our salary cap if we are only offering a future pick.
But back to my first point - I'd rather Phillips from Carlton or Pittonet from Hawthorn. Or, we can just get by without another Ruck option. The last few Premiers have done alright without a star Ruckman - Nankervis, Soldo, Boyd, Lycett, Hickey (and even lesser fill-ins throughout the season) etc, so I'd rather suffer with that than throw money and (wasted) time at Mason Cox.
And as for being a replacement for Daniher up forward - hahahahaha.

Oh, PS - another better option would be Meece from Williamstown.

[Windy_Hill]

apparently cox is on a big salary at CW...go figure. I believe under AFL rules, we would have to pick up that wage if the player is contracted, which he is. Unless CW agree to paying a portion of the wage which would be recognised under their salary cap

Anyway, unless there is some belief they can turn him into a half decent footballer...then why bother. Better off with guys who know how to play the game.

or

JOSH JENKINS...ON A 2 YEAR DEAL

[DC2]

apparently cox is on a big salary at CW...go figure. I believe under AFL rules, we would have to pick up that wage if the player is contracted, which he is.

please, NO!

he is most definitely not the answer. id have smac at FF over cox. this club is going in the wrong direction if this is true. even swing hooker forward if we can grab doogie howser.

[F111]

"It's an inaccurate report, we're not pursuing Mason Cox," list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

[DC2]

"It's an inaccurate report, we're not pursuing Mason Cox," list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

well, sam mcclure is emphatic that essendon did inquire. he said he was genuinely puzzled as to why dodoro would try and deny it.

[s'dreams]

Lloydy must read these pages for ideas for his columns... Just sayin'

[F111]

"It's an inaccurate report, we're not pursuing Mason Cox," list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

well, sam mcclure is emphatic that essendon did inquire. he said he was genuinely puzzled as to why dodoro would try and deny it.

He said it's inaccurate. Didn't say which bit.

He said we're not pursuing MC, but didn't deny we had been?

[grassy1]

Oh brother.That all makes sense,doesn’t it?