Mason Cox has launched an extraordinary defence of former teammate Scott Pendlebury amid mounting criticism over the Collingwood champion’s lucrative record-breaking payday.
Pendlebury is expected to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars outside the AFL salary cap when he breaks the V/AFL games record against West Coast next weekend, with rival clubs furious over the arrangement.
The Magpies veteran will play his 433rd game at the MCG, surpassing North Melbourne great Brent Harvey for the most games in league history.
The milestone match has already sparked fierce debate after it emerged Pendlebury would receive 100 per cent of the profits from merchandise linked to the occasion, including match-worn guernseys, custom boots, commemorative wine and limited-edition watches.
Some estimates have suggested Pendlebury could earn close to $500,000 from the game.
But Cox exploded at critics questioning whether the 38-year-old deserves the money, accusing sections of the football world of tall poppy syndrome.
Mason Cox launched an explosive defence of Scott Pendlebury over backlash surrounding his massive record-breaking AFL payday controversy
Pendlebury could reportedly pocket close to $500,000 from merchandise tied to his historic 433rd AFL game milestone
Cox played 102 AFL games for Collingwood and was part of the Magpies’ 2023 premiership-winning side alongside Pendlebury
‘It pisses me off. I’m just infuriated by this because everyone’s out there talking about him making money rather than celebrating what is the greatest football player we’ve probably seen,’ Cox said on his ESPN podcast.
‘Tall poppy syndrome (is) well and truly alive … and there’s no better case of it right now.
‘You’re talking about, I’ll be honest, the most consistent player that’s ever played the game.’
Cox also pointed to Pendlebury’s spotless reputation throughout his decorated career.
‘And let’s say this, Pendles has not laid a foot wrong. He’s never really got any media scrutiny or media trouble or anything like that,’ he said.
‘A lot of you other media people probably have and you’re telling me that you can’t celebrate this guy?’
The former Collingwood ruckman then turned his attention directly to those upset about Pendlebury cashing in on the historic occasion.
‘We’ve been sitting here for the last probably two weeks and we mentioned this whole gold tin jumper thing, I mean, who really cares?’ Cox said.
Craig McRae defended resting Pendlebury twice, insisting the veteran’s body was ‘not as bulletproof’ as people believed anymore
‘It’s like if you want to do it, do it, it’s his game where he’s breaking a record that may never be done again.
‘Give him some kind of independence to make a decision to do that … and all we’re talking about is, ‘Oh man, he might make a dollar.’ Well, heaven forbid.
‘Dude, seriously, I’m like, are you kidding me? As he should! As he should! He should make as much money as he wants.’
Cox then delivered his most savage remark of the rant.
‘And if you’re not happy with that then, oh, hey, how about you go do what he’s done. But you can’t do it. You know why? Because you’re not good enough,’ he said.
‘And you just have to swallow that pill, OK? You’re not good enough.’
The comments come as rival clubs continue to pressure the AFL over the arrangement, with concerns raised about whether it creates a loophole outside the salary cap.
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson revealed multiple clubs were ‘absolutely filthy’ over the situation, while Kane Cornes claimed the league ‘cannot allow this to happen’.
Cornes also criticised Collingwood’s handling of Pendlebury in recent weeks after the veteran was rested twice ahead of the milestone game.
‘If Pendlebury plays tonight and against Hawthorn, that’s two extra wins,’ Cornes said on AFL.com.au’s First Up.
‘Collingwood gave up on their season.’
Coach Craig McRae defended the decision to manage Pendlebury carefully, insisting the club wanted to celebrate the record properly at the MCG.
‘His body isn’t as bulletproof as you think he is,’ McRae said.
‘Five- and six-day breaks, all the data says he is just getting to the line, and we are looking after him.’
Despite the controversy, Pendlebury is understood to be donating part of the proceeds from the record-breaking game to My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.
The Collingwood superstar will enter the West Coast clash needing just one more appearance to stand alone as the greatest games player in V/AFL history.
