Fremantle big man Mason Cox brutally roasted after grand final shocker

Big American Mason Cox has been cruelly mocked after his grand final shocker — where he had just two touches — on Saturday at the MCG.

Despite the Achilles injury to skipper Alex Pearce at the start of the second half, the Fremantle big man was only used sparingly, playing just 32 per cent of the game.

Conditions in Melbourne didn’t exactly suit the 211cm giant, but it’s fair to say Cox was barely sighted in the limited minutes he was used.

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Cox is a polarising figure in the AFL and has a fickle relationship with fans due to his fondness of “smack talking” opponents whenever the opportunity arises.

Fans did not waste the opportunity to serve it back to Cox in the immediate aftermath of Fremantle’s heartbreaking loss to Brisbane.

One person on social media shared a video of Mason Cox highlights for the the 2026 grand final. The video lasted 13 seconds and featured him standing in line for the anthem and one kick. “Thank you for watching,” was the sign off.

The crowd on Saturday was 100,023, just one short of capacity, and fans also used that information to roast the former Collingwood big man who joined Fremantle at the start of this year.

“Crowd 100,023 - Mason Cox the one person not to show up,” one betting giant said, also sharing a Cox highlights package that had him in the parade and walking on the MCG turf in bare feet ahead of the game.

“Capacity is 100,024 ... Mason Cox was the missing person,” another fan said in response to the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s post on the crowd number.

“Anyone located Mason Cox yet?” another fan asked.

And another: “Great effort by Fremantle today considering Alex Pearce went down just after halftime. Also considering they played one short all game with Mason Cox just filling space. Can’t believe they didn’t swing a late change.”

And another: “Brennan Cox had more impact than Mason.” referring to the Fremantle defender who was controversially not selected to play after returning from injury.

The game was largely ranked a “one out of 10” in player ratings. Even the AFL’s official website gave Cox a 1/10, and ran with the headline: “tall unable to impact.”

Cox was delisted by Collingwood at the end of last year after 139 for the Victorian powerhouse.

Fremantle signed him in November, handing him a two-year deal.

Cox was seen as back-up to the pairing of Fremantle superstar Luke Jackson and the 28-year-old Sean Darcy, but later in the 2026 season, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir seemed to prefer Cox as his back-up to Jackson, moving ahead of Darcy in the pecking order.

Cox’s most famous game was in the 2018 preliminary final where he monstered Richmond during the Tigers’ golden era.

In that game Cox kicked three consecutive goals and took several towering marks, forcing legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney to exclaim, “What has Collingwood unleashed?”

Unfortunately for Fremantle fans, they didn’t get that version of the big American on Saturday.

Key moments of Brisbane’ seven-point grand final victory of Fremantle

- With scores level at 42 apiece in the second quarter, Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale took a mark and was bowled over by Fremantle ruckman Mason Cox. A scuffle ensued but the umpire swallowed his whistle. Boos erupted around the MCG as the two-time Brownlow medallist - who endured another drama-filled grand final week - wandered in and hung his shot out to the right.

- In a foot race with Brisbane’s Logan Morris for a loose ball on the wing early in the third quarter, Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce collapsed to the ground and limped off to the bench in the hands of trainers. The defender did not return, with the Dockers confirming a dreaded Achilles injury, which could sideline him for an extended period if it is fully ruptured.

- Fremantle had much of the running in the third quarter but didn’t have much to show for it on the scoreboard. Cometh the moment, cometh Hayden Young. The Dockers midfielder nailed a dashing goal out of the middle and a huge snap from the boundary to give his side a 10-point lead heading into the final change.

- After the Lions drew within a kick in the final quarter, Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews had the ball knocked from his grasp down the other end. The Lions scrambled a quick kick away but it was marked by Dockers speedster Michael Frederick, who kicked truly for a 10-point lead. Ryan Lester produced a match-saving tackle to deny Fremantle key forward Josh Treacy in the square. Patrick Voss goaled soon after to put Fremantle 17 points up, with the Dockers hitting the button on Wharfie Time with just over four minutes to play

- Fremantle’s secret weapon sparked the Lions midfield and Charlie Cameron snapped a quick reply to silence the Wharfie Time delirium. Another centre bounce clearance from Will Ashcroft led to a scruffy inside 50. The ball fell to crafty forward Zac Bailey, who produced a miracle snap off one step to bring the Lions back within five points with three and a half minutes to play.

- A brave kick from Neale into the middle opened the door for fellow midfielder Hugh McCluggage to bomb long into the forward 50 as Logan Morris stood tall to claim the mark over Dockers defender Oscar McDonald. The 21-year-old forward showed character beyond his years to go back and slot the go-ahead goal with a minute to play. The Dockers won the clearance but it was repelled. Will Ashcroft pranced down the other end to handball to Morris, who kicked the sealer and secured a Brisbane three-peat.

- With AAP

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