Collingwood are weighing up a bold move ahead of their clash with Adelaide, with reports suggesting Mason Cox is set to replace Dan McStay in the Magpies’ forward line.
McStay has been battling shoulder soreness in recent weeks, prompting selectors to consider turning to the American big man.
The development was first flagged by 7AFL’s Xander McGuire, who revealed on SEN Afternoons that the match committee was locked in talks on Tuesday.
‘Absolutely shaping to replace McStay’
“There are big movements down at Collingwood match committee right now as we speak,” McGuire said. “They'll make the final call on that, but Cox is absolutely shaping to replace Dan McStay in that side, which is a big story heading into Thursday night.
“The feeling is that Dan McStay is dealing with a bit of shoulder soreness, and they've been assessing that through the week as to whether he'll be able to get up.”
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Form may also influence the decision. McStay has only three goals from his past seven matches and hasn’t kicked multiple majors since early July. In contrast, Cox has dominated at VFL level, averaging a goal, 14 disposals, nearly 30 hitouts and six marks across his last three appearances.
McGuire believes Cox could add “a bit of an X-factor” to a forward line missing the spark of Bobby Hill. Collingwood will confirm their 22 when official teams are named at 6:20 pm AEST on Wednesday.