Sydney coach Dean Cox has detailed why the club made the bold choice to drop Swans veteran Jake Lloyd, an omission due to form for the first time in a decade.
A subpar run across the last month that includes performances of just 11 and 17 touches, Sydney have decided to swing the axe on the 262-game defender, hoping a circuit breaker in the state league can revitalise Lloyd's influential best.
It is a 10-year first for Lloyd, last being dropped due to his form in the late rounds of 2015.
Cox said the VFL stint will be a "reset", and noted he warned the players others could be in the same boat as a selection squeeze hits.
"I think when you've got players that have played as long as he has, unfortunately, now there is some selection issues with returning players. We've made sure that all the players, if they are getting dropped or in that position, that they know exactly why, what they've got to work on, and now they've just got to go to the VFL and get it done," Cox said.
"Most players have been there, so it's now just a matter of trying to reset them and get them going."
The 5-8 Swans are hoping to overcome an early season loss to the Power in Round 6, as well as avenge the staggering 112-point defeat at Adelaide Oval last year.
Cox said it isn't front of mind considering the two clashes in between, but returning to the venue for the first time since has provided a little bit of added motivation.
"No, I think most of the players are aware of what happened last year, they're aware of that going into the prelim, they're aware of that going into the Round 6 game we played at the SCG," Cox said downplaying the significance.
"Obviously, different area, same team, different city, but these players have certainly a drive now to make amends for the start of the season and to try and build on an inconsistent first half."
