Fire In The Belly: Mason Cox On Fremantle’s 2026 Hunger
Former Collingwood premiership forward Mason Cox says he has arrived at Fremantle intent on changing the narrative around a young list and feeding the “fire in the belly” left by last season’s narrow finals exit. The 34-year-old American has also been given a positive injury signal from the club ahead of Round 1.
Mason Cox: ‘Fire in the Belly’ And Fremantle Arrival
Mason Cox, who spent 11 years at Collingwood before moving west, described his move to Fremantle as both a cultural and professional adjustment. He noted the intensity of scrutiny in a two-team town and used the Red Time podcast to contrast expectation and aspiration: “If you aspire to do something, it’s different… you’re not sitting there in a negative mindset, whereas with expectation it can be a massive letdown. “
Cox, who is 211cm tall and brings premiership experience, said he wants to help shift the language around a list with an average age of 24. 2. He also highlighted the raw talent he has seen during the preseason, naming Shai Bolton, Hayden Young and Luke Jackson as standouts and describing Jackson as an “absolute unicorn”.
His introduction to the playing group included a light-hearted moment when Jordan Clark put him through a quick cricket-themed welcome near the club entrance.
Injury Update And Round 1 Availability
Fremantle Director of Performance Adam Beard has provided an injury update ahead of the Club’s Round 1 match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. The update said Coxy is progressing well and “he’s a week away. ” Beard noted the club is building his loads up and that he is training well in the gym and out on the field. Cox got through main training and “should be available. “
The broader injury picture in the update included a training ankle injury to Freddy, who is expected to be sidelined for about four to six weeks. Charlie is available for minutes after a positive training session. Sam Switkowski has progressed through concussion protocols and will be available for selection, while Judd McVee is set to make his club debut in the Round 1 clash. Fremantle’s senior coach has signalled a selection squeeze heading into the opener.
Why This Matters For Fremantle’s 2026 Start
Cox framed the club’s narrow loss last season as extra motivation: “Obviously last year, the way it finished, there’s a little bit extra fire in the belly to try and do something more than that. ” Fremantle will travel to GMHBA Stadium this Saturday to begin the 2026 campaign against Geelong, and the combination of fresh talent, Cox’s experience and a largely healthy list will shape early selection and match plans.
With the veteran forward nearing full readiness and a handful of younger players pushing for spots, Fremantle will open the season under the weight of renewed aspiration rather than the pressure of expectation Cox has urged the group to adopt.
Selection decisions and final availability for Round 1 will crystallize as the club moves through the final sessions ahead of the trip to GMHBA Stadium.
