In one of the most remarkable VFL/AFL finals ever witnessed, the crowd at the MCG has erupted into the chant of the title as American footballer Mason Cox cut loose. As this article is being written, Cox dominates the Fantasy points on the www.afl.com.au website as the most impacting player on the field.
This isn’t a practice match but an AFL Preliminary final involving two of the great AFL clubs – Collingwood and Richmond – and it can truly be argued that Collingwood’s seven goal lead at half time is built heavily on the back on an American.
So far, Cox has claimed eight possessions (seven kicks), six marks (most contested) and crucially, three huge goals in a row that were the integral part of a Magpie goal-kicking avalanche. Rarely has a player dominated a half as Cox has done – NEVER an American.
If Mason Cox isn’t already a cult hero, his performance tonight will almost certainly go down in the history books If the Magpies go on and win (and they lead by 44 points at half time), he could become legendary – certainly at Collingwood, possibly wider.
To have a crowd chanting “USA” at the MCG during a final demonstrates remarkably how this young American has captured the imagination of an Australian Rules football crowd. His Texan parents are sitting in the crowd lapping up an incredible performance.
There is another half to go, and Cox might not get another touch – Richmond might even fight back and win (though it is becoming increasingly unlikely). But Cox has transformed the Collingwood v Richmond Preliminary Final.
More to com ...