Mason Cox has called for a major change to the way the AFL awards premiership medals, saying all members of Collingwood’s squad deserve one of their own for the efforts in securing the Magpies a 16th premiership, and not just the 23 who appeared in the grand final.
The Pies had no shortage of heartbreak stories in the build-up to their thrilling four-point grand final win over Brisbane, with Daniel McStay and Taylor Adams missing the decider with knee and hamstring injuries respectively, while half-back John Noble was brutally dropped for the finals series having played every game in the home-and-away season.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Cox, who joins former Sydney ruckman Mike Pyke as North American players to have won AFL premierships, described McStay’s fate as ‘f—ing shattering’, saying the absent trio should be rewarded for their role in the Magpies’ minor premiership and subsequent flag triumph.
“They were a big reason why we were there – without Dan McStay kicking two goals in the prelim we probably don’t make it [to the grand final],” Cox said.
“It is frustrating to not see them have a medal around their neck, to be honest.
“I would change it in a heartbeat. Without them we are not in this situation.
“To have that happen in a prelim is f—ing shattering… guys like John Noble and Tay Adams, it is something you wouldn’t wish on the worst person.
“I don’t know what the ruling would be but it just seems wrong to not have them with a medal.”
The Magpies are far from the first team to have players endure grand final heartbreak, with every year bringing with it its own unique tales of woe.
Daniel McStay and Nick Daicos. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Among the most famous are Western Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy watching on as his team secured a drought-breaking flag in 2016, Hawthorn tough nut Brendan Whitecross twice rupturing his ACL in September, including in the 2013 preliminary final, and Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo ruling himself out of the 2010 grand final with a groin injury.
The Magpies’ grand final win caused an outpouring of emotion from the black and white faithful, with club legend Nathan Buckley revealing he was left ‘openly sobbing’ at the result.
Buckley endured his own grand final torment throughout his storied career, losing the 2002 and 2003 deciders to Brisbane before falling five points short in the 2018 grand final as coach.
“I was openly sobbing at the final siren and beyond,” Buckley said on SEN.
“I had my head down trying to work it all out. Maxy [former Collingwood player Nick Maxwell] and I were hugging and then Pebs [former Collingwood player Anthony Rocca] come across and he whispered in my ear: ‘We got one back’.
“You don’t get them back, but there was a little bit of that, a little bit of ‘poor bugger me’ that came into it.
“But the other part is looking at guys like Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard, obviously Steele [Sidebottom] and Pendles [Scott Pendlebury] have won their second one, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott… that’s what the pinnacle, pivotal moments bring out.”
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
Runner's up medal is quite different to medals for other players on the premier team. Trent Cotchin, aguy with 3 premiership medals, believes his team mates who contributed through the year should have a medal to show for it too.
bungeye
Roar Rookie
I'm in total agreeance with Cox! It is total arrogance to dismiss the contributions of all players who played. Australia does alot of things differently to the rest of the world, mostly to our detriment!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
But not Andrew Gaff, hey? Suspended in the year, deservedly so, but contributions aplenty.
Old Pup
Roar Rookie
As mentioned in my post above Peter Moore made it abundantly clear back in 1981 what he (and Collingwood) thought of medals when they LOST!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And Brad Sheppard who missed the 2018 GF because he got injured the previous game after having a stellar season.
Old Pup
Roar Rookie
Please, please, please people... who remembers back in 1981... Collingwood 3 times consecutive losers in the GF...back when runners-up got medals? Yes that happened... hmm...wasn't it Peter Moore who trashed that concept & threw his away like a petulant child! Making a statement & ruining it for runners-up ever since... short memories much? The irony! Medals for the players that play on the day!
Wolzal
Roar Rookie
Premiership medal is for those who played on the day, otherwise you go too far and devalue it and award those who had little to no contribution. Look at Jesse Williams, who has a Superbowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks, despite never taking a snap all season. Do you give one to the tactical sub who ran out for 5 minutes and then spent the rest of the season in the twos? Sure some great players miss out - Bob Murphy and Nic Naitanui come to mind - but that's just part of the theatre of sport. Do you give a trophy to the driver who lead the whole race only for his engine to blow up on the last lap? (Mika Hakkinen, Spain 2001). I've always felt this is something teams should do internally. Give out your own medal, trophy, ring or watch, for being part of the successful premiership season.
RT
Roar Rookie
Given the history of the medal it woukd be hollow. I think it needs to be something else. Even a similar looking medal but still different to distinguish it. Or a laminated Certificate of Appreciation.
RT
Roar Rookie
I am sure it wouldn't be hard to find other examples if you looked.
Boo
Roar Rookie
Every player should get a medal with the players in the GF getting the bonus of being presented to the fans .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Just get Brayden Maynard to give his medal to one of the unlucky ones. Problem solved.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
All the naysayers seem to ignore one important point when they say it'd devalue the medal... The players who played in the team on the day will always have that and will always be the ones most feted. So why do those players even need medals? If you stopped medals altogether does that invalidate playing in a premiership? In fact, until around 1977, the VFL did not award medals (it was left up to the clubs). So are all the players pre-1977 not VFL premiership players? Test cricket is able to function without medals and without devaluing the contribution of all players in the squad It's a bit ironic that we say "Collingwood won the 2023 premiership" (i.e. the whole club) but only recognise the 23 on the day as premiership players. Should therefore we stop counting club premierships, since it's only the players on the day that matter? Absurd of course, but so is the stubborn adherence to an outdated "tradition" for macho reasons.
Batca
Roar Rookie
Can see both sides here. Good to recognise everyone that contributed for the season but as a player you just want to play and it would burn to miss out. For me personally it would feel a bit hollow. Would take the medal though :)
WestraliaForever
Roar Rookie
100% agree. It’s strange how the AFL is able to trash traditions (AFLX?!) but won’t clear up this hurtful anomaly. I am not aware on any other example in world sport that does this. Certainly, the Premier League and NFL don’t.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I agree. Any Collingwood player who steps onto the field in 2023 should receive a medal. Not the entire squad... just the players who contributed on-field throughout the year. We see it in most other sports, including relays in the Olympics. The counter-argument: it makes them much rarer. Well... that's silly, in my opinion. Technically, Marlion Picket could have ended his career playing one game and had a premiership medal. Bob Murphy, an all-time legend and instrumental in the Bulldogs' successful 2016 premiership campaign, doesn't have one. I don't care for some traditions, either. Not the stup!d ones, anyway.