Sydney Swans

Cox not using injuries as excuse as Swans sweat on availability of defensive duo

More headaches for first-year coach Dean Cox after Sydney chalked up their seventh defeat of 2025.

Published by

Mitch Keating

Sydney coach Dean Cox doesn't see the club's injury toll as an excuse for his side's latest poor performance, with the Swans falling to Melbourne by 53 points on Sunday.

The Swans struggled to remain competitive, losing the inside 50 count by 20, going at 40.9% efficiency inside 50, while amassing 73 turnovers for the game.

Cox's side has been without Errol Gulden, Logan McDonald and Tom Papley for the entire year to date, while skipper Callum Mills made his first appearance of the season over the weekend.

But despite their absent stars, the Swans have still fielded formidable lineups on paper, only to see their top names lose the battle on numerous occasions.

Questioned on the names available and the form of the team as a collective, Cox said there are a number of areas that need addressing as the Swans slide to a 4-7 record and sit 13th on the ladder.

"This is nothing to do with injuries, this is about the way we're playing," the first-year coach said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Dean Cox, Head Coach of the Swans speaks to players at quarter time during the round nine AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium, on May 10, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

"At the minute, we are inconsistent in facets of our game. We're good for a period, we drop away next time there's something that comes to be OK.

"We are not putting it together. We have to get back to that. That's what we spoke about straight after the game. It's on all of us in that room, and we have to change that."

The Swans' list of sidelined names could extend in the wake of their latest loss, with defender Sam Wicks suffering a hamstring concern against the Demons to be subbed out of the match.

Sydney could also lose Mills to suspension following an incident involving Melbourne's Charlie Spargo.

Both players could open up further holes in Cox's defence, with Wicks findings good form in his first year as a backman.

"Just a tight hamstring," Cox said of Wicks' ailment.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Harvey Langford of the Demons tackles Sam Wicks of the Swans during the round 11 AFL match between Narrm (Melbourne Demons) and Sydney Swans at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 25, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"He's been unreal for us this year. He got beaten today by a very good footballer.

"We made the call when it wasn't right to get him off and make sure we look after him as well."

Sydney's challenge doesn't get easier in Round 12, hosting Adelaide on Saturday, with a game against Richmond to follow prior to their Round 14 bye.

Published by

Mitch Keating

4 weeks ago