Collingwood confirms notice from AFL as Cox issues apology

“I apologise for the incident in our pre-game where I made contact with a GWS official.”

Mason Cox, a ruck for Collingwood, has apologized after the club acknowledged receiving a letter from the AFL.

Cox ran into Shane Mumford, the Giants’ ruck coach, during the pre-game ritual prior to the team’s game against the GWS Giants.

As part of a league inquiry, Collingwood has now acknowledged that the AFL sought additional information regarding the event, including communicating with both clubs about the circumstances.

The AFL will continue to work through the problem over the next several days, and after the inquiry is over, they will provide an update.

“I apologize for my interaction with a GWS official during our pre-game,” Cox stated.

“I should have stopped my run-up instead of finishing the drill, but in the moment, I was only concerned with getting one more bounce in.”

Mason Cox has reportedly said he will share his side of the story on his podcast at a later time.

Collingwood claimed that “the umpire bounced the ball with Mason’s run-up coinciding with GWS” in their statement to the AFL.

In order to complete his game preparation, the ruckman asked the AFL umpire to bounce the ball, which is when this incident occurred.

Collingwood’s general manager of football, Brendon Bolton, said, “We have reviewed the situation and it is clear it was a period of transition in the center circle—our rucks were finishing their center bounce practice as the GWS midfield arrived to commence their center-circle work.”

Mason has admitted that it is best to avoid interacting with opponent officials or players before to a game, and with the help of our club, he will be more mindful going forward.