World Footy News

Last week Collingwood upgraded American Mason Cox to the senior list for the injured Matt Scharenberg.  They then named him on an extended interchange bench for their match against Melbourne at the MCG last Sunday, but when the final 22 were named on Friday afternoon he did not make the cut.  So it was another week in the VFL.  He had 51 hit outs, kicked a goal, and had eight disposals and two marks.  

The Collingwood AFL side had another bad week on the field losing to Melbourne, taking their record to one win and three losses and the pressure was on.  Coach Nathan Buckley said post match there would be changes.  Early in the week the media speculation started.  Cox's name was mentioned in press conferences, on panel shows and on the back page of Melbourne's leading footy newspaper The Herald Sun. 

When the 25-man team was named this evening Cox was again in there, this time named on the field, at full forward - replacing Jesse White who was dropped from the side.

Just like last week we will have to wait for final confirmation, and extra day (4pm Saturday) but barring any extraordinary events we expect Mason will be named in the final 22 and will be running out as the first American to play in the AFL for the mighty colossus that is the Collingwood Football Club on Monday.  Not just any day but the biggest day in AFL football outside of the finals series, ANZAC Day.

 

A day that is held dear to the hearts and minds of most Australians who show their respect, their reverence and their rememberance for those that gave so much of themselves for their country in conflicts around the world. 

The day in Melbourne always begins with a dawn service and later in the morning a march for service men and women finishing at the Shrine of Remembrance.  Traditionally after this many would then move off to other functions or attend the footy at the MCG after 1960 (matches were not played on Anzac Day prior to this).  

In 1995 Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy got his concept underway for the ANZAC day match between Essendon and Collingwood with the intent for it be a game that would honour the Anzac spirit.  The two sides have competed in this match every year since. 

The minute's silence of over 80,000 crowd before the game is always an emotional moment.  The match has continued as a popular fixture and has continued to grow in status each year.

We do not know what Mason will make of it all as an American, but many Australians will think him very fortunate to debut at the MGC and have his AFL debut on such a significant occasion. Good timing you might say.

On his way to the AFL Mason Cox attended the 2014 AFL Combine in Los Angeles and the AFL couldn't rush him out here quick enough where he auditioned for a number of clubs and settled on Collingwood as his choice of club.  He joined the club late in 2014 and played the 2015 in the VFL and came close to an AFL debut last year.  After two VFL matches this year it seems his shot at the big time has finally arrived.

Another great feat of timing by Cox and the AFL occurs this weekend with the 2016 iteration of the AFL's US Combine taking place again in Los Angeles.  A fine example to a whole new batch of American athletes taking part in the Combine as to what can be achieved in just two years. Hopefully they will all be assembled in front of a big screen watching the match late on Sunday night (10pm) watching Cox debut live.

The first American to debut in the AFL playing for St Kilda in 2015, Jason Holmes will be watching on waiting for his own next chance to step back into the big time and with any luck a few future Aussie rules footballers from the US of A will be watching on too.

The match will  be shown in the US on Fox Spots 2 from 1am Monday morning EDT or it can be streamed via www.Watchafl.afl.com.au (subscription required).

The named 25 man team is below, the squad will be narrowed to 22 at 4pm on Saturday Melbourne time.