Sydney midfield coach Dean Cox has showered in praise the emergence of “exciting” young talent at the Swans.
Cox joined Sydney’s coaching panel ahead of season 2018, leaving his post at West Coast and linking with Ben Ronke, Tom McCartin, Ryley Stoddart and a host of other youngsters.
Ronke, McCartin, Stoddart, Colin O’Riordan and Darcy Cameron all made their AFL debuts this season, while Ronke and fellow second-year Swan Oliver Florent earned Rising Star nominations.
Cox said a long list of young players had impressed in 2018.
“Heading into 2019 is a really exciting time,” Cox told SwansTV.
“If you look at the playing list and what some of our kids were able to do, it’s outstanding.
“You’re talking Ronke, McCartin and the like that made their debuts this season, but when you still have Florent, Hayward, Mills, Heeney’s young, Papley’s in his fourth year, Melican and the like – the list goes on. That’s what’s really exciting about the future of the footy Club.”
Ronke made his AFL debut as the Swans charged home to stun the Cats in Round 6, piling on seven goals to Geelong’s one at GMHBA Stadium to recover from a 22-point deficit at the final change.
Ronke finished the day with 15 touches, seven tackles and two goals but he would save his best for Round 8, becoming the youngest Swan since Silvio Foschini in 1982 to kick seven majors in a game.
The 20-year-old also made 10 tackles en route to claiming the Round 8 Rising Star nomination.
Blossoming midfielder Florent strung together six consecutive games of 20-plus possessions midway through the season.
The Victorian dazzled in Sydney’s 30-point win over Carlton at the SCG, collecting 20 touches at 85 per cent efficiency to win the Round 11 Rising Star nomination.
QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Isaac Heeney continued to offer a promising glimpse of Sydney’s future himself, reeling in 22 disposals and two goals to win the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for best on ground.
Cox said the side’s youngsters made enormous contributions in 2018.
“The key roles they played throughout the footy season when Franklin wasn’t playing were invaluable,” Cox said.
“To be able to stand up and deliver and play consistent footy like they did makes for a really exciting time. They’ll learn a hell of a lot from it and make us better in 2019.”
Cox combined forces with Brett Kirk to overlook the Swans’ midfield contingent in 2018.
It followed 17 years at West Coast as a player-turned-coach in a career that saw him win the 2006 flag, earn six All-Australian guernseys, play a record 290 games and help coach the Eagles to the 2015 Grand Final.
He's enjoyed his transition to the Swans and says he’s keenly awaiting 2019.
“I really enjoyed working with a new coaching group and playing group,” Cox said.
“I learnt a lot to take into next season.”
