Goulburn Valley League’s 2024 leading goal-kicker and interleague representative Riley Mason has made a fast start in the VFL this season.
The mobile key forward has kicked bags of four and five in his opening matches for Collingwood’s VFL side.
Only two games into the season and Mason is seemingly on track to repeat the efforts of fellow Seymour football export Sam Durham according to metropolitan sport expert and Code Sports writer Paul Amy.
The 23-year-old former Lion now Essendon midfielder Durham went from Seymour to Richmond VFL to Essendon’s AFL list within a handful of months in 2021.
Four years later, Mason appears to be on a similar trajectory for the 2025 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, which is scheduled for May 28.
Mason’s performances this season have had him kick four goals from 10 disposals against Sydney before booting 5.2 from 11 disposals against Coburg a fortnight later with a bye in between.
The young gun spearhead played Coates Talent League football for Calder Cannons before signing on at Coburg in 2021.
After not featuring at VFL level for the Burgers, Mason joined Seymour and plied his trade with great success before joining the Magpies during the off-season.
After Mason’s second consecutive impressive showing, Amy chatted with Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara about the talented tall’s immediate impact at VFL level.
“(Mason) was really impressive yesterday,” Cassidy-McNamara said.
“He was on Coburg’s list and he was a bit young and immature physically and he’s gone back to Seymour and built his body and game and he’s reaping the rewards now.
“The VFL is doing really well on the talent development front.”
Amy also made note that a recruiter had done a report on Mason and liked what he saw.
“He’s just so raw,” the recruiter said.
“He’s lightly built but he’s a good size, he’s got footy smarts, he’s a good kick and he’s a very good one-on-one mark.
“And he just sees the game very well.
“There’s so much improvement in him.
“There will be – I’m not saying a frenzy – but everyone will know about him now.’’
Mason could be a late addition to VFL’s representative side set to take on the SANFL for the AAMI State Game at Gather round on April 12.
