Sydney coach Dean Cox says Isaac Heeney deserves All-Australian selection despite poor Swans campaign
He's declared superstar Isaac Heeney's season has been 'as good a year' as any contenders, with ruckman Brodie Grundy also vying for a blazer, but the first-year coach knows his team hasn't won enough games to have many Swans players spoken about.
But amid the 'frustration and disappointment' at failing to back up last season's effort, Cox was adamant Heeney, who has kicked 35 goals, including five against reigning premiers Brisbane last week in a revenge win, had been a shining light and deserved recognition with a third All-Australian nod.
'I've looked at stats of players that are being talked about in the All-Australian team and All-Australian captains, Isaac's had as good a year as all of them,' Cox said.
'Unfortunately, we haven't won enough games for a specific player to be spoken about. He's been phenomenal for our footy club. Not many players can do what he does in the midfield and then go forward and turn a game as well.
'I think the entire AFL industry admires what Isaac can do on a football field, but as soon as you're not in the top couple of teams, you don't get spoken about as frequently.
'That doesn't mean that he hasn't had the year he had last year.'
Grundy, who has been sidelined with concussion, has been a powerhouse in the ruck this season and is vying with Melbourne captain Max Gawn for the starting ruck spot in the team of the year.
He could also earn a place on the bench, with a club best and fairest award also in his sights.
Cox said his team not playing finals had started to sink in with the coaches and players, but a strong finish to the season, backing up the last-start win over the Lions against premiership contenders Geelong this weekend, would bring some momentum for 2026.
'There's a bit of frustration and disappointment that we're not playing finals. That's what we start every year chasing and the reality is we can't do that. Once we found that out it was deflating, it's what the players strive so hard to get to,' Cox said.
'We'll reflect when the season finishes why we didn't get there. There are a number of things we need to work on. We needed to work on them in the back half of the year but also the pre-season as well.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
The inside story of the first AFLW game as told through the eyes of the players
On February 3, 2017, the very first AFLW game was played between Collingwood and Carlton at Princes Park in Melbourne. Tonight, the same sides will open the 10th season of the women's competition when they meet again on the same ground. This is the story of that first night, as told by the players who were there. Brit Bonnici, Collingwood till present: "The whole thing came around really quickly. We got told it [the competition] was happening in 2020, then we got told it's happening in 2017 (in 2016). And so everything just happened all at once, and then all of a sudden, it's game day. "Our preseason didn't go for a long period of time. There was no real system or structure or any of that. It was very much bringing a group of girls together and then trying to get them to learn how to play together. "And then all of a sudden, in a click of a finger, it was game day." Jasmine Garner, then Collingwood, now North Melbourne captain: "I played forward back then and we had a lot of good forwards at Collingwood. The forward line was kind of built around Mo (Moana Hope) and I remember just thinking, 'Am I going to get selected?'." Darcy Vescio, Carlton till present: "I was still working upstairs [at Carlton as a graphic designer]. It was kind of a running joke that I was making graphics about the game and putting my face on things. … A few times people saw me clipping my own face to put on posters and I was like, 'Well, someone's got to do it'." Jordyn Allen, then a fan, now Collingwood: "As soon as we got the fixture, my dad and I and best mate Brooke, who was also in the talent pathway at the time, we pencilled in as many games as we could go to. The Carlton-Collingwood game was actually Nan's birthday that day. I remember having this real guilt, this confliction, do I stay for Nan's birthday? But Nan was like, 'No, no, go, go, go. You don't understand, this is history making'. "I remember getting home from school [on game day] and looking at my watch being like let's go. I couldn't get off the bus quick enough. I had my stuff set out." Vescio: "The whole week building up, I felt like I was just running on fumes. So excited and kind of a bit scared at the same time because I just didn't know what was to come. Nobody knew whether people were going to show up. "I remember my housemate Meg woke me up. It was game day and she was knocking on my door … she was like, 'Have you checked your phone?' And I was like, 'No'. And she was like, 'Check your phone, your Twitter has been hacked' … I thought it was so hilarious, and I was like, 'What are the odds?' Like someone from Collingwood who had done this to me. Like, 'you think that's going to throw me off my game?' Try again, try harder." Bonnici: "I didn't really know what to think or expect leading into the game … I think I was so naive to what the moment actually was and what it meant because I was sort of just young." Vescio: "I remember our first warm-up, we went out and I was looking around and it was starting to get full. Not full full but I was like, 'there's quite a lot of people here'." Garner: "It was like geez, it's a lot of people. You're running out and you couldn't really hear each other." Gab Pound, Carlton till present: "It was just amazing seeing just every seat pretty much filled. It was just like the atmosphere … you couldn't really explain it because it wasn't like a normal football atmosphere. It was just so many people in the community coming in and being like, this is history." Bonnici:"That was really crazy because before that moment, you'd play in front of your mum, your dad, your siblings, maybe they would come or a friend would maybe come, but that was all. Then all of a sudden we ran out and we're like, 'hang on, people are actually here'. "We stood around in a circle before we put our guernseys on and I remember in that moment, having that real bubbling feeling that I get on game day. Then we ran out and it was like, 'where did all these extra people just come from?' Everyone had just filled the stadium." Vescio: "Before the final run out with the banner, we were in this tiny little dark tunnel underneath the stand that's now been knocked down … That's when Loz [captain Lauren Arnell] had said, 'I know you're going to be nervous and everything, but make sure when you get out there, you take it in and have a look around and take a moment to enjoy what's going on'. "When we ran out, I looked around and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, there are so many people here'. I remember being like, there is just skin everywhere, there are so many people packed in, even the staircases in the grandstand were full." Bonnici: "When we did the national anthem, I remember looking around and it's a big game, so you get this feeling and I was just trying to be in the zone." Allen: "We drove around for 40 minutes trying to find a car park … We came up through one of the stands and we're like 'there is literally not a seat anywhere' … We ended up behind the Collingwood coach's box, behind the bench, which was not by design, it was literally the only place that was free. "We got there just as the ball was being thrown up … I just kind of remember looking at Brooke and being like 15 and I'd never teared up about anything in my life and here I am being in such a big moment." The game ended up being a lockout. At quarter-time, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan went outside the stadium to apologise to those who were locked out. He said the league wanted to let them in to stand in the aisles, but Victoria Police had advised it would not be safe. 24,568 supporters managed to make it inside. Bonnici: "One of my first kicks was on the boundary line and I remember getting so sidetracked by what was going on because I people were yelling over the fence and [I was] thinking they actually care." Garner: "The first goal, the ball went up, first bounce, first contest, I remember it was a bit kamikaze. And then I think it was Hutchie [Meg Hutchins] who did a long kick in and I don't know if it was meant for me, but the ball was coming in and I was just going back [and] I actually ended up taking an easy chest mark. "In the moment, I didn't think 'Oh, this could be the first goal ever kicked' it was just like 'I'll just go back and kick the goal' … Went back, quite an easy shot in the end, just went straight through and then all the girls got around me." Bonnici: "I remember Jazzy kicking the goal so clearly, you can remember where you were on the field. "To me it was so cool because it was Jas and I'd played with her before through youth girls, through nationals, at Sharks … then to see people celebrating her like that … I looked up and there was just so much noise." Garner: "We didn't kick another goal for the rest of the game. It was the Darcy Vescio Show after that." Bonnici: "The rest of the game was a bit of a blur. Except I remember there was a moment where Loz [Arnell] ran through me. She got me pretty good." Allen: "[In the stands] it was kind of like when you commentate the game to your mates, every single tackle, every single kick, every single mark, everything was just awesome. We were just so stoked. I reckon we stood there like the whole game [behind] the Collingwood bench, so we could hear them chatting. We could hear Wayne [Siekman, inaugural Magpies coach] on the bench talking back and forth." Carlton defeated Collingwood 7.4 (46) to 1.5 (11). Vescio had four goals. Garner: "After the siren, it was weird. We're playing for four points but at the same time, it was a celebration of women's footy … You never like to lose. But that was really the first time and I was just like, 'Oh, let's just enjoy it', like, just the joy on so many people's faces, it was just the start of AFLW." Vescio: "You could feel that people were not just there to cheer for Carlton or Collingwood, it felt like there was an energy that will never be replicated, it was just beyond anything I'd ever felt before. "It was just like the perfect night. I guess for us, especially having been able to win the game, and for me, being able to have played well in that game, I felt like it meant I could take everything in." Bonnici: "I remember doing the lap of honour at the end and sort of getting around people. And I've always been really competitive, so I just didn't want to do it. I was filthy that we were having to go around and high-five people after we lost. The competitor in me couldn't deal with that. "Somebody gave me their child to take a photo with them … Now I understand they wanted this baby to know they were part of that moment." Allen: 'We called mum and Nan on the way home and were like 'How cool was that?' Nan had had far too much to drink at home and was celebrating. "She kind of gave me a bit of a history lesson. She's like, 'Times were so different when I was growing up that girls didn't play sport full stop and now girls are playing traditionally men's sports'." Vescio: "I remember we went back to Gab Pound's. She was having a house party and we just danced … I think I went to bed at like 5:30am or something like that. "Because I could not sleep. I could not believe that that just happened. I had a press conference at like 10am the next morning. I remember just being like, 'Well, this is my life now … this is how I live'." Allen: "We were kind of [already] looking ahead to the next game in the fixture. Like we were like 'OK, that was awesome. Can't wait to go to Casey fields [to watch Melbourne]." Bonnici: "People always ask me, do you wish that you were younger so that you got to be a full-time footballer [from the start of your career] but to be 18 and be in that first game, that's something that no-one can ever take away from me. "I reckon it's really easy to get caught up in where AFLW is going but … I wouldn't change for a second the fact that I got to be part of that first-ever game and now get to be a part of growing the league alongside it."
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
High-flying Boomers through to Asian Cup semi-finals
Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother.
Daily Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for ‘shock' sacking
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Premiership coach Simon Goodwin has opened up on his exit from the Melbourne Football Club for the first time since last Tuesday's shock announcement to sack him after nine years at the helm. While the Demons' struggles in season 2025 were well-documented up until his departure, the board's decision to axe the 2021 flag winner took the vast majority of people by surprise. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Goodwin, who is one of just four people to ever lead the Demons to a V/AFL flag, spoke to Fox Footy's AFL 360 eight days on from his departure at Melbourne. 'It was a shock, there's no doubt about that. I was disappointed that they'd come to that decision — but you accept that position,' Goodwin began. 'Do I 100% think that I was the right person to carry this team forward? Yes, because I've done it before ... but that's the decision the board made, and I accept that decision. 'They need a new voice, they want a new voice, and they're going to get one.' Simon Goodwin was sacked with three rounds to go in the season. Picture: David Geraghty When probed by hosts Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon as to whether there was any other rationale for his sacking beyond the club's 'need' for a new voice, Goodwin responded: 'I had a standard board meeting the week before, and didn't have an inkling at that point. But as I said, I'm sure the board went through a thorough process.' 'That was the (only) reason I got; that they needed a new voice.' The two-time Adelaide premiership player had a decorated career across his 275-game career, and has now spent well over a decade as a coach in the AFL system — making him a prime target for all clubs looking ahead to 2026. Seven's Mitch Cleary revealed on Wednesday evening that GWS have reached out to Goodwin in regards to a role next year. Speaking on any future plans in the industry, Goodwin noted he right now feels open to anything. 'I've spent some time up in Sydney, and I'm going to catch up with a whole range of different people,' Goodwin continued. 'I'm open-minded to doing any thing in football. I love the game, I love coaching. I want to get away, have a spell ... (but) coaching's never complete, you want to get better. And I know with the experience and everything that's I've gone through, with some PD (personal development), I'll come back even better.' Melbourne's off-field imperfections before Goodwin's departure are well-documented, leaving the 48-year-old with an extra layer of difficulty when trying to maintain the club's success year-on-year. It includes report last October that some board members and those within the club's corporate circle held concerns over former chief executive Gary Pert and his handling of a player's trade negotiation — as well as separate worries over the management of superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. GWS head coach Adam Kingsley and Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin. Goodwin agreed when questioned as to whether his tenure while coaching without a CEO led to a level os misalignment at the club. 'I think clearly. Clearly, you need alignment for success. You look around the great sporting organisations around the world in business and sport, alignment is critical. It's critical because it builds trust, and you can make some really great decisions that you need to moving forward,' Goodwin said. 'There's certainly been challenges, and things that all football clubs need to work on — and Melbourne's no different. But if you walk through the doors at training at Casey Fields with those players, the environment's healthy, alive and well ... and that's the biggest part of your program to get right. 'For the next coach, I think it's set-up incredibly well. I'd be incredibly excited by the group that they've got available to them.' Originally published as Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for 'shock' sacking
