The Mason Cox trade discussions between Collingwood and Essendon reveal realities about both clubs.

The Bombers know two things about their list (well they clearly know a lot more than two but we’ll stick to two for now). One is of course that Joe Daniher has asked for a trade and so part of considering whether to accede to his request they have to look at the ramifications. So that means they have to look at not only what draft picks he is worth but if he is not at the club next year then what player or players can play his role.

One of these contingencies is Mason Cox. He is seven foot tall, can take a mark or get his arms chopped, and so be a target up forward for a side that, as Matthew Lloyd pointed out in these pages on Monday, has had Jake Stringer win the leading goal kicker award in the last two Joe Daniher injury-interrupted seasons with 30 and 33 goals.

That said Daniher is obviously a vastly superior player so while Cox might play that role he will not play it to the level of Daniher. But then who of the potentially available players on the market could?