Some thought Mason Cox was crazy when he landed in Fremantle and declared the Dockers had the best list in the AFL -- but the club are now just one win from potentially proving him right.
A gutsy come-from-behind preliminary final win over the Swans in Sydney on Friday night propelled the minor premiers into their second grand final next Saturday against Brisbane, 13 years after their loss to Hawthorn.
Cox has been a relative latecomer to the Fremantle project, joining the West Australian club for the 2026 campaign after 10 seasons with Collingwood.
Having been part of a premiership-winning side with the Pies in 2023, Cox knows what It takes to reach the AFL summit.
"I said in my first interview after joining Fremantle we've got the best list in the comp and people seemed to think I was crazy," Cox told AAP.
"But we're in a grand final now," added Cox, who has a 9-5 win-loss career record against Brisbane.
The towering 211 centimetre American ruckman has accumulated plenty of big match experience. playing in two grand finals and five preliminary finals.
"For a guy who didn't know the sport about 10 or 12 years ago, it's not too bad a going, I guess," said a laconic Cox.
Asked what advice he would give the many Fremantle players heading into their first season-decider Cox said. "There's going to be a lot of distractions.
"Just being able to limit those and only take out what you need and really enjoy the experience.
"Making sure your mind is still being focused on the game and you don't get sidetracked by all the people wanting your attention."
In the back end of his career, Cox is fully accepting of his support role, especially behind Dockers ruck star Luke Jackson.
"He's an absolute freak," Cox said of Jackson.
"He's so good at what he does and any way I can support him and give him confidence and be able to make his job easier in a way, I feel like that's my role within the team.
"Its not about stats, it's not about being the guy who wins the game, or anything like that anymore, it's about supporting these guys and making them the best version of themselves.
"For me, It's a bit different from the other parts of my career, but to be honest, it's probably the most rewarding."
