Scriven is now the chief executive of Basketball Australia, but not even he could convince Yao to speak to host broadcaster Fox.

This columnist decided to try his luck, and didn’t get past security.

Collingwood big man reaches out to Petracca

Not quite as tall, but much more media-friendly, is Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox, who also had floor seats to the game alongside fellow injured Pie Dan McStay.

In fact, it turns out Cox is more than just media friendly – he’s friendly in general. A club insider confirmed the American had this week reached out to injured Melbourne star Christian Petracca, who is recovering from his horrific spleen injury.

Cox was the most recent AFL player to injure his spleen before Petracca, albeit Petracca’s tear was reported to be far more serious than that suffered by Cox, who was able to return to the field after seven weeks of rest.

Cox offered his support to Petracca, who has ruled himself out for the season, and even offered to connect him with his doctor.

And while Cox is confident of returning from a knee injury in the next few weeks, it’s McStay’s prognosis that will equally delight Pies fans.

The former Lion, who ruptured his ACL in the preliminary final win over GWS, rendering him unable to play in the premiership, is on track for a miraculous return this season. An all the more remarkable recovery when you consider he reinjured his knee at the start of December.

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The Magpies had privately put a line through his name for the entire season. But luckily, the line was drawn in pencil, and they are getting ready to pull out the eraser.

McStay has been in full-contact training for several weeks now and completed full match simulation on Wednesday. All things going well, those in the know at Collingwood say the aim is to have him return to senior football for the round 20 clash with Richmond.

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