Latest news with #AllAustralians
The Australian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Swans coach backs Heeney, Grundy for All-Australian selection
The Sydney Swans will miss the finals after making last season's grand final but should have at least two All-Australians, according to coach Dean Cox. 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. Isaac Heeney has been in All-Australian form. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images '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.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sydney coach Dean Cox says Isaac Heeney deserves All-Australian selection despite poor Swans campaign
The Sydney Swans will miss the finals after making last season's grand final but should have at least two All-Australians, according to coach Dean Cox. 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.'
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
