Former Collingwood premiership player Mason Cox has landed at his second AFL club, completing his move west.
Cox has officially signed a two-year deal with the Fremantle Dockers, the club announced on Monday, following the opening of the pre-season supplemental selection period.
The 34-year-old was delisted by the Magpies last month after he was not offered a contract for next season.
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Mason Cox celebrates following the 2023 AFL grand final. AFL Photos via Getty Images
This year, Cox managed just 10 senior games with a combination of injury and form issues, returning to Craig McRae’s side for the finals, where he kicked two goals in the Pies’ preliminary final loss to eventual premiers the Lions.
In a club statement, Fremantle’s player personnel boss David Walls said that Cox was signed after an extensive nationwide search, adding that the veteran would provide crucial depth, experience and versatility in the side’s forward line and ruck.
“We see a real benefit with having a 211cm premiership ruck of the calibre of Mason Cox joining our program,” he said.
“We are really pleased with our ruck combination of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson, and see Mason adding to our depth in that department, his knowledge and experience will be really valuable.
“We have 19-year-old Aiden Riddle developing nicely, and he will benefit greatly, along with Luke and Sean. We look forward to welcoming Mason to the club.”
Speaking to the Dockers’ media team, Cox expressed excitement about the move, particularly the opportunity to reunite with coach Justin Longmuir, who served as an assistant at Collingwood before taking the senior role at Fremantle in late 2019.
“I’ve got obviously a lot of experience, I’ve been in the system for 11 years,” he said.
“I think my body’s going really well and everything else, so I’m pretty excited to be able to continue the journey.
“He’s [Longmuir] a great man, I’ve got a lot of respect for him, so I’m excited to kind of start to work with him again.”
Cox also did not hold back in his assessment of the playing group, boldly declaring Fremantle has the “best list in the competition”.
“It might be a bit bullish to say, but I think it’s the best list in the competition,” he said.
“You look at what they were able to do last year, the streak of wins. It’s pretty impressive, and hopefully I can add some experience along with everything else to continue that success.
Mason Cox during his final game for Collingwood. Getty
“Someone once told me that purple is royalty, so hopefully we can make some great memories.”
An American trailblazer, Cox joined the Magpies as an international rookie from Oklahoma State University in 2015, finishing his 11-season, 139-game career in the black and white.
One of footy’s great international success stories, Cox became the first American to win an AFL premiership when Collingwood defeated Brisbane in the 2023 decider.
His other career highlights include winning the Neale Daniher Trophy for the best player in the annual Queen’s Birthday match in 2018, and a dominant preliminary final performance in Collingwood’s 2018 win over flag favourites Richmond.
Cox’s arrival follows the earlier acquisition of former Demon Judd McVee during the trade period.
With the signing of Cox now official, Fremantle has one remaining rookie list spot available for the remainder of the 2026 season.