Ahead of his second season leading the Sydney Swans, Dean Cox’s office reveals the demands of the role. A whiteboard covered in diagrams outlines strategies for the 2026 AFL season opener against Carlton at the SCG, reflecting countless early mornings and late nights. On his desk, a photo of his wife Kerry and daughters Charlotte and Isabella sits alongside an aerial view of his hometown, Dampier in Western Australia, over 5000 kilometers away.

Balancing Family and Coaching Demands

During his challenging debut season, where the Swans finished 10th and missed the finals, Cox managed the pressures of coaching while prioritizing family. His wife emphasized the importance of presence at home.

“One thing my wife always said when I started was, ‘When you get home you’re a dad, not a coach’,” Cox said. “There are still times now where she goes, ‘I’d rather you spend time on your phone in the car out the front until you’re finished and then come in and be present’.”

Cox acknowledged the ongoing struggle. “So I tried to have that and she would constantly remind me. Did I do it probably as well as I could have? No. But it’s also part of the job that you need to understand, that after our work it’s a constant thing.” He described juggling family activities with late-night work, a routine common in high-pressure professions.

Lessons from a Tough First Season

The Swans started last year with just two wins in their first seven games, a deficit that proved insurmountable. The 11 losses offered valuable insights, particularly the 90-point defeat to Adelaide in May at the SCG, which came amid the club’s 2005 premiership reunion celebrations.

“It came to a head against Adelaide – as a football club, that was really hard to take,” Cox said. “We had the 20-year [2005 premiership] reunion, you’re honouring that, we needed a response … It was a chance as a footy department to realign and to go back to what we initially set out to do … who we wanted to be. And, to the players’ credit and to everyone’s credit at the football club, they did that, but it was too late.”

The team regrouped for their annual photo at Moore Park, where new recruit Charlie Curnow, formerly of Carlton, drew significant attention from photographers.

Overcoming Injuries and Welcoming New Talent

Last season’s injury woes affected key players like Logan McDonald, Tom Papley, Errol Gulden, and captain Callum Mills. Cox now anticipates a healthier squad, centered around Curnow’s addition as a formidable forward presence.

Cox praised Curnow’s influence beyond scoring. “I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed is his work ethic on the training track,” Cox said. “There’s also the relationship he has with the defenders here; you’re getting Lewis Melican and Tom McCartin and [Dane] Rampe and Will Edwards that actually get the chance to train on this sort of player.”

“They’re going as hard as they can against each other, so I think the value is for him to play, and to play well, but it’s also about [what] he brings to other people. He’s had a great summer. We’ve still got a lot of work to do to hopefully make him really play to his strengths and get our side going.”

Trades and Tough Leadership Decisions

In a significant off-season move, the Swans traded Will Hayward and Ollie Florent to Carlton, creating compelling narratives for the season’s first round. Cox views such decisions as essential, though never easy.

“You’re in a leadership position where you have to make decisions. They don’t become any easier,” Cox said. “One thing that I pride myself [on] is being close with my players, but I still have to have the boundary of when I need to make a decision on whether it’s picking a player, whether it’s trading, whether it’s delisting a player – none of them are easy, but I accept it’s part of the job.”

A Lighthearted Off-Season Moment

The off-season brought unexpected attention when Cox was captured on camera at the SCG during the fifth Ashes Test, relaxing with a beer in a wine glass and his tie loosened.

“I certainly enjoyed just sitting out there, just watching the cricket, and then sort of my phone started buzzing and I didn’t even realise I was on camera. But yeah, it was a good little afternoon,” he said. To preempt team banter, Cox printed and displayed the photos in the team room, embracing the humor.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As a former elite ruckman, Cox approaches challenges proactively. With a bolstered Swans lineup, he enters the new season with optimism but focuses on the immediate steps.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence out of this summer, and as for how far we can go, I don’t look too far ahead; even in the fixture [list] I don’t look too far ahead … I’ll look to our pre-season games and then I’ll look to those [first] three and then worry about what comes after,” Cox said.