Mason Cox after his Australian Citizenship Ceremony at the MCG on June 22, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

EIGHT years after he first ventured down under, Collingwood big man Mason Cox has become a citizen of his adopted country and can now officially call Australia home.

And the goggle-wearing ruck-forward, now a cult hero to the black-and-white faithful, couldn't be more proud.

"It's quite emotional," Cox said as one of 110 people who made the pledge of commitment and received their Australian citizenship at the MCG on Wednesday.

"It's been eight years to get here and it's been quite a journey along the way."

Mason Cox, pictured with his parents Jay and Phil, after his Australian Citizenship Ceremony at the MCG on June 22, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

Cox freely admits he had never heard of Melbourne, or Australian football, before the opportunity arose for the then-college basketballer to try out in front of AFL talent scouts in 2014.

All the Texas native knew of Australia at that stage was kangaroos and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Now, the 31-year-old plans to spend the rest of his life here.

"(It's about) opportunity, just like a lot of people here," Cox said.

"We've got some amazing people that are refugees from different countries who have a lot better stories than I do.

00:47

Cox runs it home to continue Pies' surge

Mason Cox kicks this brilliant running goal to make it two in a minute for his side midway through the third term

"This country has provided a lot of opportunity for different people and it's a pretty amazing thing that the culture here provides.

"There's a lot of people that are willing to reach out and help each other and that's something I've definitely noticed in my time here, and I'm very proud to be a part of it."

A polarising on-field figure across his 82 games to date, Cox has shown glimpses of his match-winning potential in big games and has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks.

Mason Cox reacts during round 13, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

He has been a key contributor in Collingwood's four-match winning streak leading into Sunday's clash with GWS and said some of the credit should go to his new coach.

"Craig (McRae) has got a different perspective than a lot of people who I've met in my lifetime and I've got a very close relationship with him, so I've got a lot of trust in him," Cox said.

"A lot of people say I usually play better whenever my family's in town and my mum and dad are here until at least July 12, so hopefully it can last at least that long and maybe a bit further.

"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster every year but I'm very excited to see what the next few games and the future holds."