Recently axed Magpie Mason Cox has admitted his departure from Collingwood was tough to deal with, as the 211cm ruck was not offered a new contract after 10 seasons and 139 games at the famous Victorian powerhouse.
The 2023 premiership player reflected on his time in the black and white while speaking on SEN WA Breakfast, spotlighting his strong connection with the Collingwood faithful that was difficult to leave behind.
"You give back so much to the community and to the fans, and you feel like you connect with them," Cox said on Friday.
"It was a bit tough not really getting to say goodbye to a lot of people you've connected with and become family.
"Obviously, coming from half a world away, these people have looked after you and taken you in as [one of] your own.
"For it to end so quickly and abruptly kind of sucked, but it is what it is, and I'm grateful for the opportunity that Collingwood gave me."
The 34-year-old will now turn his sights to his new club, Fremantle, who signed Cox on a two-year deal via the Supplemental Selection Period earlier this week.
Cox joins the Dockers as an experienced third-string option following the departure of supporting ruckman Liam Reidy to Carlton during the trade period and is hoping to be a mentor for Fremantle's developing list; the youngest in the AFL in 2025, with an average age of 24.6 years.
"My aspirations are to try and make this group better," Cox said.
"They're quite a young group, and I've had quite a bit of experience in the AFL, even though these guys have been playing football longer than I have.
"It's great to get over here and be able to get to know everyone and try to transfer that experience to this group."
Cox also praised senior coach Justin Longmuir, a former Magpies assistant, and spoke about his excitement to play under him in a "similar style" to his Collingwood days.
“He's a cool, calm, collected kind of person,” Cox said.
“He's very meticulous with what he does. He's very understanding of the game and gets it. It's a very similar playing style to where I was previously.
“I've got an incredible amount of respect for him. I know being a two-club town of Perth, there's a lot of pressure on him, but I think he handles it really well.”
Cox also confirmed that his famous number 46 guernsey will be no more in the purple chevron kit, but left his new digits under speculation.
"I won't say what my number is, but there will be a change. It won't be 46 anymore," Cox said.
"That chapter has closed. Being able to make an incredible story from that number at Collingwood was incredible but this is new beginnings for me, so I'll choose a different number."
