MASON Cox drew inspiration from motor neurone disease sufferer Murray Swinton in his match-turning effort in Collingwood's preliminary final win over Richmond.

Cox, who kicked three goals in a starring second quarter to help the Pies overcome last year's premiers and make the Grand Final, was spotted with 'Murray' written on his forearm tape.

He revealed on Monday that it was in reference to Swinton, who he met in the lead up to the Pies' Queen's Birthday clash with Melbourne, which was preceded by the Big Freeze slide raising funds for MND research.

Below: Mason Cox and Murray Swinton following the Queen's Birthday clash

Cox has formed a close bond with Swinton and said the message served as a reminder when out on the field.

"It's something I have been writing on my forearm for a while. He's been a bit of an inspiration for me this year chatting to him, and he kind of reminds me how fortunate we are," Cox told AFL.com.au. 

"He loves the club and being a part of it, and it humbles you and gives you a new perspective on life.

WATCH Flying Cox wreaking absolute havoc

"You miss a mark or you're having a bad game, you can always look down and think you could be in worse circumstances. I always make a conscious effort to think of him before every game just to get an idea and give a little bit of perspective." 

Swinton, a long-time firefighter, was diagnosed with MND in January this year but was at the MCG when Pies boss Nathan Buckley joined the rest of the competition's senior coaches plunging into an ice-filled pool in support of Neale Daniher's Big Freeze 4. 

Buckley wore a fireman's suit in tribute to Swinton, and later posted an image on Twitter that had been written on the team's whiteboard by Swinton before the game. 

It read: "Make the most of your career. Do the best you can, while you can. Good luck for the year boys… hope you win it."