Arabic version: كوكس يطارد لقباً نادراً ثانياً مع فريمانتل

According to ABC News, Mason Cox will make his third AFL grand final appearance when Fremantle faces Brisbane, less than a year after Collingwood delisted the 211-centimetre American. Cox played 139 games for the Magpies and was part of their 2023 premiership side.

The 34-year-old recalled arriving at the MCG for his first grand final in 2018 in a Toyota Prius after taking an Uber. He returned in 2023 as Collingwood won its first flag since 2010. After his delisting in October last year, Fremantle offered Cox a lifeline a month later, following several previous attempts to recruit him.

Cox joined the Dockers as support for rucks Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, but Darcy’s concussion-enforced absence for the round-six western derby created an opportunity. Cox went on to play 19 of the next 21 matches and became a regular in Justin Longmuir’s team. He also kicked the go-ahead goal in Fremantle’s preliminary-final win over Sydney.

Fremantle finished as minor premiers with a club-record 19 wins, including a 14-match winning streak. Cox said the club’s hard work, young talent and awareness of its history stood out to him. A Dockers victory over Brisbane would give Fremantle its first premiership and place Cox among the small group of players to win AFL flags with two different clubs.