Five minutes into the second term, Collingwood's American experiment launched himself above three Richmond leaders to take a colossal hanger.

Mason Cox soared past Nick Vlastuin and Alex Rance, stuck his knee into Trent Cotchin's back and plucked one of his eight contested marks within range of goal.

It wasn't so long ago that the towering Texan wouldn't have got near it, let alone grabbed it.

And not only that, Cox went back to slot his set shot, one of his three goals for the quarter.

There was more than a bit of Texan swagger about it as well, Cox furiously chewing gum and staring down the Tigers skipper as the crowd chanted "USA! USA! USA!'.

"I just kind of looked at him after I kicked it to make sure he knew," Cox said.

"I don't know what he said but we're good friends ... I don't have any problem with him. I just thought it was funny.

"If I'm kicking three goals on him I want to let him know. He's a Brownlow Medallist ... he's got a better career than I'll ever have.

"I jumped on him so I just wanted to make sure he knew I made a statement on him."

The American's efforts pushed Collingwood's lead from a handy 23-point lead to a shut-the-door 42-point advantage.

By the time Jordan De Goey out-muscled Rance to take a one-handed mark and convert, the margin was 53 points.

Game over.

"Mason Cox looked like John Coleman tonight - he was outstanding, the way he led at the ball," Damien Hardwick said.

"His height was important, but his strength is when he leads at the ball.

"He played a wonderful game, I thought he was BOG (best on ground) - an American, BOG. He was a star tonight."

Cox's proud parents were part of the 94,959-strong crowd to watch his 43rd - and best - AFL game.

"It's just awesome to have my family experience this with me," he said.

"This AFL thing is a bit crazy for the whole family and for them to be here for games like this and to experience it ... it's something that we never pictured in my life.

"I never knew it existed.

"We're just enjoying it and taking in every aspect of it."

Australian Associated Press