Cox, who starred in Collingwood's preliminary-final victory, is on the cusp of the most remarkable achievement by a foreigner in Australia's indigenous code since Canadian rugby convert Pyke helped Sydney win the 2012 premiership.

Much like the towering Texan, who played basketball for Oklahoma State University prior to grabbing the attention of AFL recruiters, Pyke's childhood dreams didn't feature a Sherrin.

Neither of them knew of the ball or sport's existence at that point of life.

Pyke, who represented his homeland in the 2007 Rugby World Cup before convincing former Swans coach Paul Roos to take a punt, believes that background can help Cox conquer Saturday's pressure-cooker environment at the MCG.

"The one thing that falls in his favour is that this isn't a Superbowl. It's not an NBA Finals," Pyke told AAP.

"It's not a sport that he grew up thinking 'oh my god, I hope one day I'll get there'.

"It's helpful to be a foreigner in that case.

"It's a different feeling. It's obviously an incredible achievement and you want to win because you're competitive.

"But it probably won't have the same awe factor for Mason, simply because the game is foreign. In some ways that is a positive thing."

Canada-US relations are generally complex but Pyke, who retired in 2015, has nothing but respect for Cox.

The former Swans ruckman hasn't followed the 211cm giant's development closely but watched last Friday night, when Cox rattled Richmond with eight contested marks and three goals.

"It was exceptional. Clearly he's dealing with the pressure pretty well," Pyke said.

"It's exciting for the football public.

"Someone has come from the biggest sporting market in the world and, if he can perform really well or Collingwood are lucky enough to win, then the exposure outside this country would be great.

"It's always nice to see the game celebrated outside Australia."

Pyke believes other North American big men could follow in Cox's footsteps.

"You can't teach height. If clubs can find athletic guys who are 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 then I think it's a pretty easy decision," Pyke said.

"I don't think it's much of a gamble really. More just good recruiting practice."

Pyke noted the American sports system, in which college is a cornerstone, works in the favour of potential recruits.

"AFL football is reasonably unique in that you essentially get drafted out of high school. There aren't many other pro sports in the world like that," he said.

"Mason's travelled away from home as a more mature person than say a kid who moves from Perth to Brisbane, and clearly he knows how to apply himself."

Australian Associated Press