GRAHAM BIG ON RIVAL’S BANTER
YOUNG Gold Coast defender Caleb Graham says he didn’t mind the bit of “chat” coming from towering American Mason Cox in Collingwood’s win over the Suns.
Cox was an influential second-half player in the Magpies’ 22-point victory on Monday, kicking two goals and hauling in seven marks.
His first goal came on the stroke of three-quarter-time and the 211cm Collingwood forward was keen to tell Graham all about it.
After kicking truly from a tight angle, Cox playfully went up to Graham, pointed to the posts and seemed to ask if the kick was worth six points. Speaking to AFL.com.au, Graham said he enjoyed the banter and competition.
“We’re both pretty competitive,” Graham said.
“It was a bit of a laugh, we’ll leave it on the field.
“I don’t mind it, I kind of like it, it gets a bit more feeling into it and when there’s more feeling you want to make sure you win your contest.
“I really, really enjoy that.” Cox had the last laugh in the final quarter when he out-marked Graham and audaciously played on, taking a bounce and drilling the goal on the run from 35m.
It’s all part of Graham’s education, a Gold Coast Academy player who turned 20 last Saturday and has played just nine senior games.
He said manning Cox for most of the night was a challenge unlike any other but one he learnt plenty from.
“We came into the week trying to figure out when to body him and when to be physical with him,” the 195cm Graham said.
“I can run and jump, I’ve got longish arms and I can compete in the air a little bit but it was just figuring out the balance of when to engage with him.”
HOW MANY POINTS WAS THAT WORTH? COLLINGWOOD’S GIANT AMERICAN MASON COX