Collingwood coach Craig McRae insists Mason Cox has had a “terrific” season however has stopped in need of guaranteeing the towering ruck-forward’s spot for the Magpies’ round-21 conflict with Hawthorn.
Cox was tactically subbed out of Friday evening’s shock defeat to Carlton after he had simply three possessions within the opening three quarters.
The 32-year-old, who final week signed a brand new two-year contract to stay at Collingwood, appeared livid on the bench after being tapped out for Will Hoskin-Elliott.
Cox has booted 15 targets this season after kicking that many mixed throughout the 2021 and 2022 campaigns when the American’s profession hung within the steadiness.
“He’ll probably be the first to admit his last couple of weeks haven’t been his best for the year but if you’re looking at the whole season, he’s had a terrific season,” McRae stated on Tuesday.
“He’s been really important to us. You look in isolation, the game in Adelaide was pretty wet, it was pretty hard for seven-foot blokes to take marks.
“I’m undecided the place we’re going with this, I’m open to saying that, however we’ll see how the week progresses and attempt to get Mason taking part in one of the best model of himself so then it makes it even tougher for us.”
Collingwood, who on Tuesday renewed their long-term commercial partnership with La Trobe Financial until its 20th anniversary in 2027, have one of the smallest injury-lists in the league.
Only fringe midfielder Fin Macrae (thumb) and uncapped defender Charlie Dean (knee) are currently ruled out of action.
Small forward Bobby Hill will return to face the Hawks at the MCG on Saturday after sitting out the clash with Carlton due to illness.
The Magpies, who sit atop the ladder by two games, are hesitant to make any drastic changes after just their third loss of the season.
“We’re actually actually deliberate that we need to enhance ourselves, but additionally you have to be actually cautious to not flip the factor the wrong way up as a result of the ladder place is suggestions and the suggestions’s been fairly good up till now,” McRae stated.
“So how a lot do you need to flip the factor the wrong way up to alter one thing that you just’re undecided if you are going to get large profit from?
“We’ll weigh it up, weigh up form, weigh for opposition, and that will all come into calculation.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
