Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney believes Dean Cox will be better equipped to deal with his second season as Swans coach.
A long-time assistant coach, his transition to the top job in 2025 was far from seamless.
After taking over from burnt-out premiership mentor John Longmire, Cox led the perennial finalists to 10th, a year on from a devastating grand final loss against Brisbane.
But, Cardiff Hawks junior Heeney hinted he wasn’t given the best chance to succeed initially, something Sydney has since rectified for 2026.
Melbourne premiership-winner Simon Goodwin, former Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell (head of the Swans academy) and Jeremy Laidler have joined the club.
Goodwin is now Sydney’s director of coaching, while Laidler is back from GWS as an assistant after previously leading the Swans’ reserves team.
Premiership hero Nick Malceski has also returned to the organisation and will coach the VFL side.
“Coxy was probably one or two coaches down over the past year… and it was a massive load on him,” Heeney told reporters during Sydney’s Community Camp in Newcastle on Wednesday 3 December.
“For this pre-season to have a couple of extra hands, the knowledge and the way they communicate is second to none.
“When they do speak it inspires you which is something you want.
“A premiership-winning coach is something you don’t see much of.
“To have him (Goodwin) under Coxy and his knowledge, especially in attack, is something I’m looking forward to.
“He’s an amazing fella, too.”
Goodwin was sacked by Melbourne in August, almost four years after becoming the club’s first premiership coach since 1964.
The 48-year-old was desperate to return to a role in football immediately, despite spending nearly nine seasons in the top job at the Demons.
With Goodwin’s wife working and living in Sydney, the Swans were the perfect fit given the teething issues Cox experienced this year.
Sydney will be intent on an immediate lift up the ladder after bringing in dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow via a blockbuster trade in October.
The Swans also picked up another local product in the draft, Cardiff’s Max King.
Sydney wrapped up its three-day Hunter sojourn by hosting an open training session for the fans at No. 1 Sportsground in Newcastle.
It followed NAB AFL Auskick and Superkick clinics, as well as school visits, which delighted AFL-lovers in the region.
The Community Camp coincided with the announcement that NSW and the ACT enjoyed record participation numbers in 2025, increasing by 10% year-on-year across the state and territory.
Figures in the Hunter Central Coast followed the same upward trend, rising by 17%.
The region is home to 18 community AFL clubs across both senior and junior competitions, as well as more than 50 Auskick centres.
- With AAP
For more sports stories:
- Island Triathlon Festival returns to Stockton
- Hunter fans dive into Swans’ Community Camp
- Maitland Tigers roar into Hunter Gridiron League
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