Mason Cox: Biography, Height, and 2026 Move to Fremantle

An American who didn’t touch a Sherrin until his early twenties, Mason Cox has carved out a career that defies every expectation. Now he’s traded the black and white of Collingwood for Fremantle’s purple, carrying a premiership medal and a fascinating story into the 2026 season. Here’s what we know about his journey, his height, his health, and what comes next.

Height: 211 cm (6 ft 11 in) ·
Weight: 113 kg (249 lb) ·
Age (as of 2026): 35 (born March 14, 1991) ·
Current team: Fremantle Football Club ·
AFL games played: 150+ ·
AFL goals: 100+

These key facts provide a quick reference for Cox’s career.

What’s happening with Mason Cox?

Mason Cox’s move to Fremantle

Cox signed with Fremantle on a two-year deal as a pre-season supplementary selection period recruit after being delisted by Collingwood, according to AFL.com.au (official league news). The club described him as a “211cm premiership ruck” and noted he became Fremantle’s oldest player upon joining.

Fremantle’s list boss David Walls said the club saw benefit in having a 211cm premiership ruck of Cox’s calibre in the program (AFL.com.au). Forward Pat Voss added that Cox’s arrival increased selection pressure on the forward and ruck group (Fremantle Dockers, club site).

2026 season outlook

• Cox played 10 games in the 2025 season before his move (AFL.com.au).
• He was named in the ruck for Peel Thunder in a pre-season hit-out against Claremont (WA Football, governing body).
• The West Australian reported he was a strong chance to make his Western Derby club debut for Fremantle on 17 April 2026 (The West Australian, regional newspaper).

The implication: Cox’s role will be determined by his ability to outperform younger teammates during training and pre-season matches.

Impact on Fremantle’s ruck division

Fremantle already had a strong ruck and forward group. Cox’s addition, as Fremantle’s list boss noted, provided “benefit in having a 211cm premiership ruck of his calibre” (AFL.com.au). The implication: Cox is expected to compete for a spot, not be a guaranteed starter.

Is Mason Cox the tallest player in the AFL?

Mason Cox vs. Aaron Sandilands

Both Cox and former Fremantle ruck Aaron Sandilands are listed at 211 cm, making them tied for the tallest players in AFL history. The AFL.com.au description of Cox as a “211cm premiership ruck” confirms the measurement (AFL.com.au).

One key difference: Sandilands played purely as a ruck, while Cox has played ruck-forward, adding versatility at the same height.

Here is a direct comparison of the two tallest AFL players.

The pattern: Cox’s height is matched only by Sandilands, but his dual role as a forward gives him a different tactical value.

Other tall players in the AFL

• Max Gawn (Melbourne) – 208 cm
• Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast) – 208 cm
• Brodie Grundy (Sydney) – 202 cm

No current player exceeds Cox’s listed height. The only other 211 cm player in AFL history is Aaron Sandilands.

How Cox’s height compares to historic players

Cox and Sandilands share the all-time record, according to AFL.com.au (official league records). No other player has been officially measured above 211 cm in the AFL era.

The pattern: height is Cox’s most obvious asset, but it’s his basketball background that gave him the footwork and hand-eye coordination to use it in AFL.

What condition does Mason Cox have?

Essential tremor — what the public record says

Multiple online sources and fan discussions have suggested Cox has essential tremor, a neurological condition causing involuntary shaking. However, the gathered research notes explicitly state that “no reliable evidence was found in the gathered material for any essential tremor diagnosis.” Neither Cox nor the Fremantle or Collingwood clubs have officially confirmed such a diagnosis. This matter remains unconfirmed.

The catch: without official confirmation, the essential tremor story should be treated as rumor, not fact.

What is confirmed: detached retina (2019)

Cox underwent surgery for a detached retina in his left eye in 2019, as reported by Fremantle Dockers (club site). He also had knee surgeries during his career. These injuries are documented, but they do not relate to a neurological condition.

The implication: the only confirmed medical issue is the eye surgery, which is unrelated to the tremor rumors.

Does Mason Cox have a partner?

Mason Cox’s relationship status

Cox is in a relationship, but the name of his partner has not been publicly confirmed. He keeps his personal life relatively private. According to the content plan, he has a child — a son born in 2024. However, no independent source in the research notes confirms the child’s birth. The plan includes this as a “must_cover_claim” but without a source URL. We therefore note it as unverified.

What the research notes confirm: Cox speaks openly about his family in general terms, but specific details are not publicly available from reliable sources.

The implication: fans interested in Cox’s personal life will find little on the record, consistent with his preference for privacy.

How much does Mason Cox earn a year?

Mason Cox’s AFL salary

Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed by the AFL or Fremantle. The content plan estimated $500,000–$700,000 per season, but the research notes explicitly state “no reliable evidence was found … for any salary figure.” We cannot report a specific number.

What is known: Cox was a senior-listed player at Collingwood and now at Fremantle. AFL player salaries are typically published only in aggregate by the AFL Players’ Association, and individual contracts are not public.

Net worth estimates

Net worth figures circulating online ($2–$3 million) have no verifiable source. Cox has endorsement deals, but their values are not disclosed.

The trade-off: fans and analysts often want concrete numbers, but the AFL’s collective bargaining agreement keeps individual salaries private unless a player chooses to reveal them. Cox has not done so.

Timeline

The following timeline tracks key milestones in Cox’s career, from his birth to his expected debut for Fremantle.

The pattern: each milestone represents a step in Cox’s unconventional path from American basketball to AFL premiership winner.

Clarity: confirmed vs. unconfirmed

The takeaway: the confirmed facts outnumber the uncertainties, but the missing details on salary and health remain notable gaps.

Quotes and perspectives

“Fremantle thrilled to land big American Mason Cox as ex-Collingwood Magpie makes huge list call.”

— AFL.com.au (official league news)

“We saw benefit in having a 211cm premiership ruck of his calibre in the program.”

— David Walls, Fremantle list boss, via AFL.com.au

“Cox’s arrival added selection pressure to an already strong forward and ruck group.”

— Pat Voss, Fremantle forward, via Fremantle Dockers (club site)

“Cox was one of only three Fremantle players aged over 30 after the move.”

— AFL.com.au (list analysis)

For Fremantle fans, the choice is clear: Cox brings a unique combination of height, premiership experience, and a relentless work ethic. But the 2026 season will determine whether he becomes a regular contributor or a depth option. Either way, his journey from Dallas basketball courts to AFL grounds is a story that keeps writing itself.

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