Struggling footy coach is blasted for setting a poor example for his players as shock vision emerges

It’s been a torrid start to the 2025 season for new Sydney Swans boss Dean Cox.

After agonisingly missing out on winning last year’s AFL Grand Final, the Swans appear to be struggling to get back to their best, having gone 2-3 at the start of the new campaign.

The Bloods’ woes were further compounded on Sunday while they suffered their second defeat on the bounce – a disappointing 10.17 (77) – 13.7 (85) defeat by Port Adelaide – which saw Cox’s side slump to 14th in the AFL ladder.

After taking over from John Longmire last season, Cox is already finding himself under some scrutiny, despite the ex-West Coast man being a very popular figure among many in the AFL.

Their performance on Sunday was underwhelming. The Swans were outgunned by the Power in the first three terms at the SCG, with the home side mounting a late comeback in the final quarter, but it was to no avail, with Cox’s side going down by eight points.

The statistics painted a damning picture for the Swans, who by the figures, had looked the better side, barring one stat. The home team managed 76 more disposals, 83 more handballs and eight more inside 50s than their opponents.

But it was their efficiency with the ball inside 50 that was costly, with Sydney putting through 17 minor scores to Port Adelaide’s seven.

And as they wasted opportunities throughout the match, the body language of their coaching team in the dugout began to look more and more disheartened by the performance.

Cox, notably, cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during the match.

The Swans boss was seen holding his head in his hands and scratching his forehead in despair.

It was a concerning look for the former West Coast ruckman, who won the AFL premiership with the Eagles back in 2006.

Speaking on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters, reporter Caroline Wilson said that the vision of Cox holding his head in his hands was a concerning look.

‘What concerned me a lot when he came to the bench during that Port Adelaide game was there was just too much drama (going on),’ she said.

‘I think if you’re seeing that as a player … I don’t think you want to see that.’

Former Port Adelaide midfielder, Kane Cornes, agreed, saying: ‘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.’

Dale Thomas also agreed, revealing why he believed it’s a bad look for the players.

‘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,’ Thomas added.

‘Just look at the lack of cohesion once this ball is won back from Port Adelaide… Are they a pressing defence? Are they a collapsing defence? There are players going in all sorts of directions.

‘They have no idea what they’re doing coming forward. There’s a loose handover in there … That’s an end-to-end transition through the middle of the ground that they play better than any other side.

‘That is, again, confusion, and no doubt that is why time and again we’re seeing Dean Cox with that frustration.’