COX AXED AS BUCKLEY CUTS HIS TALL TIMBER

COLLINGWOOD has lost patience with Mason Cox, dumping the 30-year-old fullforward for tonight’s crunch game against West Coast.

The bombshell omission could open the door for star defender Darcy Moore to swing forward, where he would cross paths with four-time AllAustralian Jeremy McGovern.

Coach Nathan Buckley promoted 194cm Irish defender Mark Keane into his 22, as well as ruckman Darcy Cameron and debutant Finlay Macrae.

Under-fire players Chris Mayne and Josh Thomas held on, although Will Hoskin-Elliott stayed in Melbourne after wife Kirstie gave birth to a baby girl this week.

Cox was not on the plane to Perth on Thursday. Instead emergencies Brayden Sier and Trey Ruscoe flew west and one will be named as the club’s medical substitute.

Levi Greenwood has taken Sier’s place in the 22 while Taylor Adams (knee) will miss 10 weeks.

Buckley has had his relationships with players and his body language called into question this week. All eyes will be on the moves he makes as the 1-3 Magpies desperately try to rediscover their mojo before Anzac Day.

Keane has recovered from a finger tendon injury and faces a baptism of fire in his second AFL game as he takes on the likes of Jack Darling, Josh Kennedy and Oscar Allen.

Cox kicked two goals in each of the first three rounds, but was held scoreless on a slippery night at the MCG against Greater Western Sydney last week.

His contract expires at the end of this season.