The head coach of the Sydney Swans, Dean Cox is under extreme pressure. He’s learning on the job through a difficult first campaign at the helm. On Sunday, the Swans lost in stunning fashion at home against the New England Revolution. This loss adds to what’s been a messy year for the team. As they succumbed to Port Adelaide, Cox’s visible frustration on the bench highlighted the team’s struggles during crucial moments of the game.
In fact, marquee recruit and now Cox and football manager Leon Cameron’s arms were ostentatiously in motion with fury as the second half unfolded. Their actions were an indication of their displeasure with the team’s performance. This opening night attack of body language drama sent shockwaves through the commentary ranks, with pundits and talking heads doubting what this would mean for the players involved.
Beyond that, the Swans are still dealing with a tidal wave of injury issues, adding to their current struggles on the field. Their current season is even wilder. Gold Coast and the GWS Giants await in the next two rounds. What we saw the Swans collectively produce this last Friday night against Port Adelaide was without a doubt un-Sydney-like, experts lamented. As their former coach Paul Roos put it, Globetrotter football.
Commentators have in fact remarked on just how disjointed the team appears, particularly when trying to win the footy back from Port Adelaide. Our own Kane Cornes shone some light on this critical matter. He encouraged coaches to teach players how to clear their heads in stressful situations and coaches work to improve their communications.
“If you’re going to be on the bench, there needs to be positivity. You’ve got to be engaging with your players, talking instructions, otherwise get up to the box where your players can’t see it,” – Kane Cornes.
Even Luke Hodge agreed with these sentiments, noting players were looking lost on what they should be doing defensively. He noted the confusion during key plays on defense.
“Just look at the lack of cohesion once this ball is won back from Port Adelaide. So are they a pressing defence? Are they a collapsing defence? There are players going in all sorts of direction,” – Luke Hodge.
Dale Thomas added his voice to the discussion, calling out the team’s lack of effort on the defensive end. He noted that the drama on the bench could send a detrimental message to players trying their best on the field.
“I’m happy with that being in the box but you can’t be doing that if you are down on the ground, because that sends a horrible message to your players who are doing their absolute best,” – Dale Thomas.
As Caroline Wilson pointed out, when games are filled with needless drama, it only adds to the fire.
“What concerned me a lot when he came to the bench during that Port Adelaide game was there were just too much drama (going on),” – Caroline Wilson.
It’s up to Dean Cox and his coaching staff to pull their team together, regain belief and unity and go again before their third round opponents.
