The Fremantle Dockers have been revealed to have made not one, but two serious attempts to secure the services of Collingwood premiership ruckman Mason Cox, according to recent disclosures from the club's football boss Peter Bell.
Dual Pursuit of the American Giant
In a surprising revelation that sheds new light on Fremantle's recruitment strategy, the club confirmed they had actively pursued the 211cm American on two separate occasions in recent years. Peter Bell, Fremantle's general manager of football, disclosed these previously unknown attempts during a recent media appearance.
The first approach came during the 2020 trade period, when Fremantle identified Cox as a potential solution to their ruck needs. At the time, Cox was coming off a challenging period that included a serious eye injury that threatened his career. Despite this, Fremantle saw value in the towering American and made a formal approach to Collingwood.
The second attempt occurred more recently, with Fremantle again testing the waters for Cox's availability. Bell confirmed both approaches ultimately proved unsuccessful, with Cox remaining committed to the Magpies on each occasion.
Why Cox Was a Priority Target
Fremantle's persistent interest in Mason Cox stemmed from several strategic factors. The club recognized his unique attributes as a premiership-winning ruckman who could provide immediate experience and structure to their developing lineup.
Bell explained that Cox's specific skill set appealed to Fremantle's needs. "He's a different type of player," Bell noted, highlighting Cox's ability to create chaos for opposition defences with his extraordinary height and marking presence.
The timing of Fremantle's interest is particularly noteworthy. Their initial 2020 approach came when Cox was at a career crossroads, having undergone multiple surgeries for a retinal detachment that left him contemplating his football future. Fremantle saw an opportunity to acquire a proven performer who might benefit from a fresh start in Western Australia.
The Fallout and Future Implications
Despite Fremantle's dual attempts, Mason Cox ultimately recommitted to Collingwood and played a crucial role in their 2023 premiership victory. His decision to remain in black and white has proven vindicated by both team success and his continued importance to the Magpies' structure.
For Fremantle, these failed pursuits highlight the challenges facing non-Victorian clubs in luring established talent across state lines. The revelations also provide insight into the club's thinking around their ruck strategy, having since developed Sean Darcy into an All-Australian calibre player while also securing Luke Jackson.
Bell's transparency about these recruitment attempts marks a shift toward greater openness about trade strategies. "We've had a couple of cracks at Mason over the journey," he acknowledged, providing rare insight into the often-secretive world of AFL player movement.
The disclosure raises interesting questions about what might have been had Cox accepted Fremantle's overtures. Instead, the American big man continues to be a key part of Collingwood's setup while Fremantle has built their ruck division through other means.
