Cox on Richmond radar

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick remains wary of out-of-form Collingwood forward Mason Cox in tonight’s crucial MCG contest, saying his heroics in last year’s preliminary final have not been forgotten.

Cox kicked three goals and took a game-defining 11 marks to help sink the Tigers last September. He also booted two goals when the Magpies knocked off Richmond by 44 points in Round 2 this year.

But the 28-year-old American has drawn criticism for his output in recent weeks, most notably for his four-disposal effort without kicking a goal in GWS’s ambush of Collingwood last Saturday.

“The reality is, if Mason Cox brings the ball to ground and doesn’t get outmarked, he’s done his job,” Hardwick said yesterday. “If he marks it, that’s a bonus — it’s like most key forwards. It’s the total value they bring to the side.”

Hardwick acknowledged Cox had been “a little bit down last week”, but stressed “good players rise up to the challenge and I’m sure he’ll be the same”.

“We’ve probably got a different defensive mix this time, so we’ll probably have a better match-up for him at this stage of proceedings, so it’s going to be a great challenge,” he said.

“He’s a really important player to the way they play. Most people look at kicks, marks and handballs, but what Mason does is he gets the ball to ground as well and provides an aerial threat.”

The Tigers have resurrected their flag hopes off the back of four consecutive wins, while the Magpies have lost three of their past four games.

Hardwick said Alex Rance was “flying” in his rehabilitation from a Round 1 ACL injury, but had yet to change direction in his running.

Asked if the defender was a serious chance of returning for the finals, Hardwick said: “We’re not opening the door but we’re not closing it, either.”