LYNCH-PIN IN NEW COX DEAL

THE AFL’s ruck merry-goround, which resulted in four big men switching clubs in the last hour of Wednesday night’s trade period, looks to have resurrected Mason Cox’s career at Collingwood.

Ruckmen Peter Ladhams (to Sydney), Jon Ceglar (to Geelong), Darcy Fort (to Brisbane) and Max Lynch (to Hawthorn) found new homes as the deadline loomed, while St Kilda’s bid for North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri failed when the clubs couldn’t reach a deal.

It was Lynch’s departure from Collingwood that provided the opportunity for Cox. His manager Liam Pickering said Magpie footy boss Graham Wright indicated the club would give the 30-year-old a one-year deal if Lynch left.