GWS forward Brent Daniels has signalled to Collingwood's Mason Cox that the Magpies big man would want to 'back up' his off-field comments by having an impact on the game following an eventful Saturday night clash between the two clubs.
Cox publicly hurled barbs towards the Giants over the off-season, building up an enticing Opening Round clash to start the reigning premiers' new campaign.
The American couldn't quite fire in his side's season opener however, failing to collect a disposal in the first half of his side's defeat.
A pre-game incident where Cox looked to interfere with the Giants' warm-up and potentially add further fuel to the fire by knocking into GWS coach Shane Mumford has been labelled as "really bizarre" by Daniels, who said Cox probably needed to back it up with a strong performance on the field.
"I guess Mason likes to say things to get a bit of a headline. He likes the limelight," Daniels toldย The Sunday Footy Show.ย
"What he did before the game I thought was really bizarre, a bit of carry on I thought.
"I like to think we're really humble and hungry as a team and to see that, it wasn't a good look. If you want to do that you want to back it up on the field.
"We didn't read too much into it. His comments grab media and that's what he wants so we didn't read into it too much.
".. 'Mummy' (Mumford) doesn't usually hold back, so luckily he did this time."
"Mason likes to say things that get a bit of a headline, he likes the limelight, but what he did before the game I thought was really bizarre."
Brent Daniels wasn't impressed by Mason Cox's 'carry on' with Shane Mumford, saying it wasn't 'a good look'. #9AFLSFS | CH9 & 9Now pic.twitter.com/pqkaYbOJm1
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) March 10, 2024
According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, the AFL issued Cox with a 'please explain' on Sunday afternoon.
Cox has flagged on social media that he will unveil the reasoning behind his actions later this week on his podcast.
Meanwhile, Daniels was one of the Giants' best players in the 32-point victory, with the small forward booting four goals from his 22 disposals against the Magpies.
The livewire Giant combined with fellow attackers Callum Brown and Jesse Hogan to tally 13 goals between them, while young tall Aaron Cadman also contributed with a pair of majors.
The win sees the Giants sit in second place heading into Round 1, where they'll face North Melbourne at Engie Stadium.
