Sydney coach Dean Cox has warned careers are on the line after his side’s 53-point drubbing at the hands of Melbourne, amid claims the Swans’ 2025 season is “already over”.
Last year’s grand finalists are currently languishing in 13th with just four wins from their 11 games – with only one of those wins coming against a top eight team in GWS (who currently sit in eighth by percentage).
FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
Cox confirmed player decisions needed to be made after the side was “beaten badly” on the MCG.
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
“I think when you’re in a position like this you look at your whole list,” he said.
“And we need to make those decisions.
“We’ve had players go back and play VFL – that might happen again.
“Our inconsistencies are way too frequent in games and week to week.
“(We need to) come in with the mindset no matter where you are, whatever the position you’re in, you fight to the end. And we didn’t do that.”
Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna believes the injury-hit Swans were “broken” in Sunday’s demolition, with questions to now come on their list build heading into 2026.
Cox slams Swans ongoing inconsistency | 08:36
“I think what the injuries have also exposed is a bit of a soft underbelly with some of the other players that for the last 18 months have maybe hung on the coat tails of some of these players,” he said on First Crack.
“And now when they’ve needed to step up, haven’t stepped up to the level.
“I’m looking at guys like Ollie Florent and Will Haywood – some these players who are meant to be in the prime of their career that when there are injuries, they can take on the mantle and say ‘Right, I can help step up’.
“We haven’t seen it enough from some of those players – Braeden Campbell, Hayden McLean, Sam Wicks.
“They’ve also got a lot of older players.
How many weeks will Callum Mills cop? | 01:20
“They’ve got seven or eight guys now who are going to be 32 and over who are past their best when you think about (Dane) Rampe, (Brodie) Grundy, Taylor Adams, Robbie Fox, Jake Lloyd – you can’t expect much more from these guys who are depth players.
“It’s just amazing you talk about how quickly things can change – 12 months is a long time in football. They had their opportunity last year. That was their fairytale for John Longmire’s last year, the way they were playing to win the premiership.
“Now I think it’s a long way off for them.
“It’s a wasted year for the Sydney Swans.”
Montagna said the slide to 13th on the AFL ladder was a “fair fall from grace” for the 2024 “darlings” of the competition.
“We’re at Round 11 – the team that played in the grand final last year and their season is over,” he said.
“They will not be playing finals this year. I can’t see them, the way they are playing right now, winning nine of their last 12 games.”
Discussion about this post