Coaching Staff Sydney Swans Assist Coaching & Recruiting Staff: The Brains Trust

[Ticky009]

Current Sydney Swan Coaching Staff:

Head Coach: Dean Cox
Executive General Manager Football: Leon Cameron

Leon Cameron

Age

52

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.2

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.7

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.9

3star

No current season stats available

D

20.8

5star

K

14.4

5star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

Jarrad McVeigh

Jarrad Mcveigh

Age

39

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.3

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.1

5star

MG

327.8

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

(VFL Coach)
Mark McVeigh

Mark Mcveigh

Age

43

Ht

184cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.1

4star

K

11.6

4star

HB

5.5

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.0

5star

No current season stats available

D

18.4

5star

K

13.6

5star

HB

4.8

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

2.0

4star

Adam Kennedy (Development Coach)
Ben Matthews
High Performance: Shane Lehane
Swans Academy:
Harmit Singh (Talent & Coaching Director)
Colin O'Riordan

38

Colin O'riordan

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

6.3

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

190.1

3star

D

8.5

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

4.5

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.5

2star

MG

98.5

2star

D

15.8

4star

K

8.2

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.4

4star

MG

267.8

5star

(Male Academy)

 

[caesar88]

PREVIOUS COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: John Longmire
Senior Assistant: Dean Cox
Jarrad McVeigh
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach) new hire for 2025
Damian Truslove (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 9


NEW COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: Dean Cox
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach)
Jarrad McVeigh (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 7

I like this.

I think it gives him just enough existing support staff from the Horse era to ensure the best parts of Horse's tenure can translate across to Cox's tenure seamlessly, but it's small enough to make it easy for Cox to lead confidently and decisively his own way.

 

[Neverwas]

What's happening with Cameron if Horse is taking his spot?

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[Ticky009]

What's happening with Cameron if Horse is taking his spot?

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Horse isn't taking his spot.

 

[BloodySwan]

PREVIOUS COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: John Longmire
Senior Assistant: Dean Cox
Jarrad McVeigh
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach) new hire for 2025
Damian Truslove (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 9


NEW COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: Dean Cox
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach)
Jarrad McVeigh (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 7

Kennedy was joining for the 2025 season. He was hardly part of the previous coaching structure

 

[BloodySwan]

Previous as in prior to yesterday, or what would have been

He would have been a coach if Horse had have stayed

Then what's Truslove doing there? He left at the seasons end. He was never a part of the same group as Kennedy

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Then what's Truslove doing there? He left at the seasons end. He was never a part of the same group as Kennedy

Sorry, I’ve fixed it

 

[bedford]

Sorry, I’ve fixed it

Well done they are unforgiving on here . Keep up your good work

 

[Callipygian]

The sterling reputation of Swans' recruiters has tarnished a little in recent times. 2020 was our last good draft but that was thanks to having a high pick (Logan) and Academy talent (Gulden and Campbell). 2018 was our last brilliant draft. And our most recent rookie draft success stories have been McLean and Amartey who both came from that brilliant 2018 (pre-2019 season) draft haul, one of our best ever: Blakey, Rowbottom, McInerney, Amartey (rookie) and then McLean (SSP).

The 2021 draft is looking reasonable (Gus & Robbo). 2022 was a total bust. 2023 looks good early doors (Green, Cleary, Snell) but, like 2024, is really too soon to say.

However, there is another yardstick of our success I'd also like to point out, namely our bidding on Academy prospects. Since 2016 we have bid on 11 Academy prospects and, if I'm not mistaken, every single one of those players is still on an AFL list:

Jack Bowes (Pick No.10, 2016)
Isaac Cumming (Pick No.20, 2016)
Jackson Mead (Pick No.25, 2019)
Mitchito Owens (Pick No.33, 2021)
Harry Rowston (Pick No.16, 2022)
Max Michalanney (Pick No.17, 2022)
Jake Rogers (Pick No.14, 2023)
Jordan Croft (Pick No.15, 2023)
Sam Marshall (Pick No.25, 2024)
Lucas Camporeale (Pick No.54, 2024)
Riak Andrew (Pick No.55, 2024)

Owens and Michalanney were particularly inspired bids in my opinion. Both of those bids came earlier than expected and have gone on to vindicate the early bidding. Andrew is the first time we have been successful with a bid, and he is also the most speculative (latest) of those bids and the only one not to be matched.

So kudos to our recruiters for this under-appreciated success.

 

[rustycrate]

The sterling reputation of Swans' recruiters has tarnished a little in recent times. 2020 was our last good draft but that was thanks to having a high pick (Logan) and Academy talent (Gulden and Campbell). 2018 was our last brilliant draft. And our most recent rookie draft success stories have been McLean and Amartey who both came from that brilliant 2018 (pre-2019 season) draft haul, one of our best ever: Blakey, Rowbottom, McInerney, Amartey (rookie) and then McLean (SSP).

The 2021 draft is looking reasonable (Gus & Robbo). 2022 was a total bust. 2023 looks good early doors (Green, Cleary, Snell) but, like 2024, is really too soon to say.

However, there is another yardstick of our success I'd also like to point out, namely our bidding on Academy prospects. Since 2016 we have bid on 16 Academy prospects and, if I'm not mistaken, every single one of those players is still on an AFL list:

Jack Bowes (Pick No.10, 2016)
Isaac Cumming (Pick No.20, 2016)
Jackson Mead (Pick No.25, 2019)
Mitchito Owens (Pick No.33, 2021)
Harry Rowston (Pick No.16, 2022)
Max Michalanney (Pick No.17, 2022)
Jake Rogers (Pick No.14, 2023)
Jordan Croft (Pick No.15, 2023)
Sam Marshall (Pick No.25, 2024)
Lucas Camporeale (Pick No.54, 2024)
Riak Andrew (Pick No.55, 2024)

Owens and Michalanney were particularly inspired bids in my opinion. Both of those bids came earlier than expected and have gone on to vindicate the early bidding. Andrew is the first time we have been successful with a bid, and he is also the most speculative (latest) of those bids and the only one not to be matched.

So kudos to our recruiters for this under-appreciated success.

I really really wanted Owens and Michalanney.

 

[Callipygian]

I really really wanted Owens and Michalanney.

At the time? I'm impressed! I had basically not heard of Michalanney but I've loved his work at the Crows since day dot. I had heard of Owens but didn't really know anything except thought he looked good when we bid on him.

 

[Kiama Chris]

At the time? I'm impressed! I had basically not heard of Michalanney but I've loved his work at the Crows since day dot. I had heard of Owens but didn't really know anything except thought he looked good when we bid on him.

I thought that Owens would fit the need for a strong big body with skill. Michalanney I felt would be a good player but less meeting a need at the time. I like that we bid on players that we would be happy to take. Should be more of it.

 

[liz]

I thought that Owens would fit the need for a strong big body with skill. Michalanney I felt would be a good player but less meeting a need at the time. I like that we bid on players that we would be happy to take. Should be more of it.

I hoped they’d bid on Owens at the picked we used (wasted) on Konstanty. That way the Saints couldn’t have matched. I wonder if there was an element of protecting our own academy by not stealing him from St Kilda, but then making sure the Saints ponyed up when he was still there at our next pick.

My guess is that, had that cohort played more U18 football in their pre-draft year (the season was Covid compromised) he’d have been a clear top 20 pick, maybe top ten. His highlight reel was very tantalising.

BTW, I don’t believe Andrew was the first unmatched bid we placed. How about Snell in last year’s draft? The Lions took another player after that bid so they had a list spot available. Though I’m not 100% certain they nominated him pre-draft.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I hoped they’d bid on Owens at the picked we used (wasted) on Konstanty. That way the Saints couldn’t have matched. I wonder if there was an element of protecting our own academy by not stealing him from St Kilda, but then making sure the Saints ponyed up when he was still there at our next pick.

My guess is that, had that cohort played more U18 football in their pre-draft year (the season was Covid compromised) he’d have been a clear top 20 pick, maybe top ten. His highlight reel was very tantalising.

BTW, I don’t believe Andrew was the first unmatched bid we placed. How about Snell in last year’s draft? The Lions took another player after that bid so they had a list spot available. Though I’m not 100% certain they nominated him pre-draft.

Love to know what went wrong with Konstanty.
Watching how Snell is developing I'm surprised didn't match if they could have. Looks a beauty.

 

[liz]

Love to know what went wrong with Konstanty.
Watching how Snell is developing I'm surprised didn't match if they could have. Looks a beauty.

I confess I'm finding it hard to get excited (too soon) at our drafting of Dattoli because everything that's being written/said about him is almost identical to what we were saying two years ago about Konstanty.

I watched one pre-season session (pre-Christmas) two years ago and was impressed by Konstanty's energy and pressure. The post-draft comments seemed spot on. But then he picked up his first injury shortly after Christmas and nothing seemed to go right for him from then on.

 

[Callipygian]

I hoped they’d bid on Owens at the picked we used (wasted) on Konstanty. That way the Saints couldn’t have matched. I wonder if there was an element of protecting our own academy by not stealing him from St Kilda, but then making sure the Saints ponyed up when he was still there at our next pick.

My guess is that, had that cohort played more U18 football in their pre-draft year (the season was Covid compromised) he’d have been a clear top 20 pick, maybe top ten. His highlight reel was very tantalising.

BTW, I don’t believe Andrew was the first unmatched bid we placed. How about Snell in last year’s draft? The Lions took another player after that bid so they had a list spot available. Though I’m not 100% certain they nominated him pre-draft.

Good pick up but not on the money. Snell wasn't available for the Lions to have priority access because he hadn't spent enough time at the Lions' Academy (possibly connected to him being NT not Brisbane based).

 

[Neverwas]

2024 COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: John Longmire
Senior Assistant: Dean Cox
Jarrad McVeigh
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Damian Truslove (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 8


2024 POST SEASON COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: John Longmire
Senior Assistant: Dean Cox
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach) new hire for 2025
Jarrad McVeigh (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 8


2025 COACHING STRUCTURE:

Senior Coach: Dean Cox
Mark McVeigh
Ben Mathews
Amon Buchanan (development coach)
Adam Kennedy (development coach)
Jarrad McVeigh (VFL)
Dean Kelly (VFL)

TOTAL: 7

So we could add to that list:

John Longmire Executive Director of Club Performance, as well as,

Leon Cameron Executive General Manager Football

As presumably they will have some input.

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[liz]

Good pick up but not on the money. Snell wasn't available for the Lions to have priority access because he hadn't spent enough time at the Lions' Academy (possibly connected to him being NT not Brisbane based).

I stand corrected. Hadn’t realised that.

 

[Kiama Chris]

So we could add to that list:

John Longmire Executive Director of Club Performance, as well as,

Leon Cameron Executive General Manager Football

As presumably they will have some input.

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Longmire not part of the coaching structure apparently reports to the CEO.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I reckon the media and everyone on here have gotten back to front.

Pyke wasn’t playing golf to entice Warner across; it was Warner playing golf with Pyke to entice him back to the swans as an assistant coach

 

[Neverwas]

Longmire not part of the coaching structure apparently reports to the CEO.

But in reality?

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[Kiama Chris]

But in reality?

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Very cynical.

 

[Neverwas]

Very cynical.

Not at all.

None of us has access to their job descriptions and with football related job titles for both Cameron and Horse , and having regard to their coaching histories you would expect that there will be scope for them to have input. This might be fairly informal, with the odd word of advice dropped into conversation, or more formal, such as involvement in team selections or some other aspects of the football department.

I'm just curious as to how they might interact

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[tombomb]

But in reality?

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I reckon Horse will spend about 10 total days at the club next year. And on those days, he will be in his office using Expedia.

 

[Tedeski]

Horse for the Tassie job.
IMO you can take it to the bank.
His resume for working with young talent & bringing a group together in tough circumstances, as he did with the Hubs during Covid, wouldn't have gone unnoticed by those responsible with bringing the Tassie team together.
Horse is well respected for what he achieved with the group at that time.
It is actually his strength & he is clearly the best person to set up this team & club alongside Brendon Gale.

I can't see anyone else getting chosen ahead of Horse, nor can I see him getting anywhere near the money coaching another team than what he will be given from the AFL.
A no brainer for Horse & it makes sense of why he would finish with a year to run on his contract.