Has American Pie era reached its natural end point?

Collingwood’s bold move to sign Mason Cox as an international rookie ignited discussion back in 2014. Several years on, many are asking whether the experiment has run its course. 

There was a time when many had said that Mason Cox had the potential to become a transcendent star in the AFL. Whether or not that’s turned out as accurate analysis, the 31-year-old’s career has been one curious footy case.

2018 marked a breakout season for the Texan-born footballer. The Queen’s Birthday clash saw him bag five goals, before a man of the match performance during Collingwood’s Preliminary Final against Richmond helped to cement Cox’s name as a cult figure. What followed his breakout year was a whirlwind of attention, including features in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and The Ringer, putting the spotlight on his rapid rise in the sport. 

Fast forward to today and a glance at his statistics might raise a few eyebrows. 

Across his four games for the Pies this season, he is averaging 6.5 disposals, 4.3 kicks, 2.3 handballs, 1 total clearance, 7.8 hitouts and 1.3 hitouts to advantage. The career average stats for Cox are not much better, though most of which were seen during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. On top of this, he is also currently the 447th ranked player according to Stats Insiders’ AFL players ratings.

His stagnant performance has drawn the criticism of many involved in the AFL, including from former North Melbourne player David King. After Collingwood’s seven-point loss against the Brisbane Lions, the Fox Footy expert said that the 2.11m player had “no presence” in Craig McRae’s side. 

“I’m just wondering what the function is that Mason Cox plays for the Pies, because there’s just no influence,” King said. 

“He’s 31 years of age. The experiment has run its course. 78 games he’s played of AFL footy, and just too regularly (struggles).”

The conversation surrounding Cox is at odds with the stellar year he had back in 2018. In just that year alone, his 24-game season consisted of 148 kicks, 119 marks, 89 handballs, 164 hitouts and 237 disposals. 

With numbers like these, it’s hard to remember the time when questions were first asked about Collingwood’s move to sign him despite his unfamiliarity with the sport. Even before a decent grace period, his performances were scrutinised. But 2018 undoubtedly marked the American’s emergence.

Compare his numbers from four years ago to now and it’s, frankly, quite underwhelming. In theory, an athlete should continue to develop and evolve in still a ‘newish’ sport. But so far season 2022 has seen Cox producing just 17 kicks, 11 marks, nine handballs, 31 hitouts and 66 disposals. 

It’s safe to say that the Pies’ bold experiment with the USA import has been fairly successful. A former college basketballer himself, Cox was ultimately the last standing during the AFL’s now defunct program which looked at scouting basketballers to help elevate the competitions’ shortage of tall players. Shae McNamara (Collingwood), Eric Wallace (North Melbourne) and Jason Holmes (St Kilda) tried to follow a similar path to Cox, but didn’t eventuate to the same extent. 

Jonathan Givony, founder of DraftExpress and a NBA analyst, shared his thoughts on Cox’s journey into the AFL in an interview with Fox Sports, saying he could not have “been any more impressed” and that he was “happy for [Cox]”. 

But whilst the discussion on the success rate of Cox’s beginnings can be laid to rest, the discussion needs to now be shifted onto how much longer the experiment can last for. 

Though some credit should be granted during his side’s win against Carlton, with 11 contested possessions and six marks, the performances that made Cox a standout in his first few years are now not much more than a memory. 

The once hyped American prospect is now 31 and has played just four times in 2022.

Whilst that doesn’t mean that the American experiment is completely done, it’s become clear that Cox won’t be reaching the heights he once did in 2018. His contribution to the AFL-level side down the stretch this season will ultimately speak louder than any words offered by club officials. The remaining 11 rounds will be decisive in whether Collingwood’s list management team say ‘bye, bye’ to their American Pie.