Mason Cox has received a warning and nothing more from AFL House for making contact with a GWS assistant coach prior to Collingwood’s loss to the Giants on Saturday night, an incident that has dominated headlines since.
Cox was savaged and hit with a ‘please explain’ on Sunday after footage emerged of him running through a GWS centre bounce drill prior to Satuday’s game, but the extended footage showed a different narrative.
The Collingwood ruckman also addressed the claims on his podcast on Tuesday morning and confirmed the incident has occurred during Collingwood’s prescribed window before the Giants midfield had walked in.
"I feel like it's been misrepresented ... have a look at this in its entirety."
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 11, 2024
Gerard speaks through fresh vision of the Mason Cox incident.
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An AFL statement dictated the league’s position.
“Whilst the umpire did agree to another bounce as requested by Cox, it nevertheless should have been plainly apparent to Cox that GWS coach Mumford and multiple GWS players had congregated in the centre circle by the time the relevant bounce occurred,” it read.
“Noting Cox's contrition and the club's commitment in supporting him to be more aware in the future, the AFL has determined to issue a reprimand to Cox and take no further action.
“It is important that all players conduct themselves professionally particularly during breaks and in the periods prior to and following matches.:”
AFL executive GM of footy Laura Kane also weighed in.
“Mason has been provided with a warning and that's been communicated to the Collingwood Football Club,” Kane told AFL Media.
“It's not something we want to see, players interacting physically with opposition staff members or players in the pre-game warm-up. It's not a feature we want to see in the elite game, nor at community level.”
The Pies had apologised for the incident on Monday with Cox accepting some wrongdoing for completing the drill and making contact with GWS ruck coach Shane Mumford.
GWS did not raise the issue with the AFL.
Cox endured a quiet match after the pre-match incident, finishing with five disposals and 19 hitouts.