Pies’ tall timber Cox happy with call to stay

MASON Cox admits he had thought long and hard about opportunities available to him at Collingwood before signing a three-year deal in September with the AFL club.

Cox played 10 games last season in the VFL, with Brodie Grundy preferred as the Magpies’ lead ruckman.

As rival clubs circled, the 26-year-old sought conversations with coach Nathan Buckley, president Eddie McGuire and captain Scott Pendlebury that reassured him he was capable of forming an effective tandem with Grundy.

“Opportunity always plays into it – obviously, you want to play AFL every single week,” Cox told reporters yesterday when first-to-fourth-year players started pre-season training.

“I’ve had long chats with Bucks, the president and Pendles – plenty of people at the club. There were a lot of free lunches, which wasn’t bad.

“I had quite a few chats and I feel confident with what they’re doing with me and where the future is going to lead. I’m happy with where I’m at and the decision I made.”

Hawthorn, Richmond and Brisbane were among the clubs interested in luring the 211cm former basketballer.

Cox impressed in the lead ruck role when he filled in as Grundy served a two-match suspension for a Round 20 tackle that knocked out North Melbourne’s Ben Brown.

But he kept his spot when Grundy returned in Round 23.

“Myself and Brodie obviously play similar positions, so it will be interesting to see how the pre-season goes with that,” Cox said.