The Sydney Swans have finalised their coaching group for season 2019, with Tadhg Kennelly appointed as an assistant coach to oversee defence.
The change will also see inaugural QBE Sydney Swans Academy member Lloyd Perris return to the Club as a development coach.
After a 197-game career with the Swans, including the 2005 premiership, Kennelly took over the reins of the NEAFL team in 2018, leading the side to the Grand Final alongside development coach Jeremy Laidler.
Replacing Kennelly as a development coach will be former Swan Perris, who joined Sydney as a rookie in 2013 but endured a tough run with injury, undergoing three knee reconstructions.
After finishing with the Swans, Perris moved into coaching, working with AFL NSW/ACT and Sydney University’s NEAFL team as a development and line coach.
New Sydney Swans Head of Football Charlie Gardiner says the Club is excited about its coaching group for the upcoming season.
“We saw the huge contribution our new coaches had in season 2018 and we look forward to seeing the impact that Tadhg and Lloyd will have on the group in 2019 and beyond,” Gardiner said.
“Tadhg is not only a great coach but a terrific person to have around the Club, and he will be a great addition to our assistant coaching group.
“Similarly, it’s great to have Lloyd join our development program – he’s someone that experienced the highs and lows of playing before making a seamless transition to coaching. We think he’ll be a terrific asset for our up-and-coming players.”
Sydney’s first- to fourth-year players will return for pre-season training on Monday, November 12, while the rest of the squad is set to return on Monday, November 26.
Sydney Swans 2019 coaching group
John Longmire – Senior Coach
John Blakey – Director of Coaching & Head of Development
Brett Kirk – Assistant Coach
Dean Cox – Assistant Coach
Steve Johnson – Assistant Coach
Tadhg Kennelly – Assistant Coach
Jeremy Laidler – Development Coach
Lloyd Perris – Development Coach
