The Collingwood Football Club confirms it has received a notice from the AFL requesting further information relating to contact made by player Mason Cox to a Giants official during the pre-game period of its Opening Round match against the GWS Giants.

The Club responded to the AFL a short time ago.

In its response, the Club states its two rucks were completing their pre-game centre-bounce practice in its prescribed window before the GWS midfield players and officials arrived to commence their period of centre-bounce work.

During this period of transition, Mason had requested the AFL umpire to bounce the ball once more to finalise his preparation.

The umpire bounced the ball with Mason’s run-up coinciding with GWS moving into the centre circle area. Mason elected to complete the drill, making contact with a Giants official.

GM Football Brendon Bolton said:

“We have reviewed the situation and it is clear it was a period of transition in the centre circle – our rucks were completing their centre bounce practice as the GWS midfield arrived to commence their centre-circle work.

“Mason has acknowledged that making contact with opposition officials or players pre-game should be avoided and with our Club’s support, will be more aware in future.”

Mason Cox said:

“I apologise for the incident in our pre-game where I made contact with a GWS official.

“In the moment, I was solely focussed on getting one more bounce in – in hindsight, I should have stopped my run-up rather than completing the drill.”

The AFL are working through the situation over the coming day and the league and Club will provide a further update once this work is complete.