Magpies’ American dream

THE American experiment is paying off in spades for Collingwood.

It took some time — and there were plenty of doubters — but after five goals on the big stage of Queen’s Birthday at the MCG, Mason Cox looks to be a ‘project player’ no more.

The 27-year-old produced a complete performance in what could prove a coming of age for a player who still has only 31 AFL games to his name.

It seems confidence is key for the former basketballer and he had plenty of it yesterday as he clunked contested marks, kicked goals from everywhere — including outside 50m — and played a role in the ruck.

In a Magpies forward line which had well-publicised problems last year, Cox is quickly becoming a key pillar. If he doesn’t mark it, he competes. But yesterday he was marking it — eight times in fact, including five inside-50 — with his 211cm frame proving too big for undersized opponents Oscar McDonald (196cm) and Joel Smith (191cm).

At full stretch, there is not a defender in the competition who can go with him.

For someone still so new to the game, Cox’s kicking at goal is also better than most.

There was only one behind to go with his five majors against Melbourne, which was a career-high tally.

Among other key stats, Cox logged nine contested possessions, eight score involvements and nine hit-outs.

He has now kicked 11.5 from his past eight games and the sky is the limit for what the next eight games will hold.

There were eyebrows raised when Cox penned a three-year contract extension last September, taking him through until at least the end of 2020.

However, that is now looking a wise move by the Magpies.