Sydney Swans senior coach Dean Cox spoke to the media on Friday, ahead of Sydney's Sunday afternoon clash with St Kilda. He spoke about the importance of role players, the selection squeeze ahead of this weekend's game and what he's expecting from St Kilda.

On players returns from injury

“Yeah, they've all been going really well. So probably the first part was they did what they had to do over the weekend with training. They trained well Wednesday and then they've just got to get through the session today. So, yeah, expect most of those players to be back in, which is really good.” 

On Matt Roberts' return 

“I think the thing with Matty is he was playing a really important role for us. What he's done for a long period of time, certainly throughout this year and previous years, has been really important for the way we set up and structure our game. So, yeah, if he gets through today, he'll play.” 

On team selection

“Yeah, both Harry's, they've played important roles for us, especially Harry Kyle in his first game. So, yeah, we'll assess what we do with the remaining three that are on the bench after this. Pete and Hayden, more than likely with Brodie coming back, one of those guys at least is going to have to jump out. I think they're always going to be tough decisions that part with, you know, whether it's four talls again, whether we play two rucks.  they've obviously got Marshall and De Koning as well. So that's something that we've spoken about all week and what it looks like.  But as you said, unfortunately, Brodie's coming back in. He's been one of our best players all year.  And, you know, he'll play again. Its just what we do and how we surround him” 

On teams putting time into Grundy 

"I don't think it was just the Geelong game that people have been doing that to him.  I think the sides have tried to do that to him all year and he's combated that really well.  So, you know, I think 11 games in, when he hadn't had much of a rest, probably took its toll in that sense.  So, you know, we understand that they try and do things differently, whether it's pushing forward, whether it's go two or three players on him.  He's aware of what he needs to do and we'll support him as well as we can."

On the side's best structure

"I think one thing you have to look at is the balance of the team.  And the other thing you look at is how we think we can best structure up to do our best against what they do behind the ball.  They're really effective in intercept marking, you know, creating a lot of their drive off that. So that's one thing we've worked on really closely.  And to our players credit certainly our talls have been really good in that space as well as we all have."

On the importance of role players

"I think that's one thing that the playing group's been really proud of is the roles that everyone plays to complement each other.  And at times players will stand up and stand out, but we don't want to only be relying on that.  I think one thing we want to do is whoever comes into the team, they understand what role they have to play, how it complements everyone else.  And that's why we're in a position we're in is because not just of brilliance, but of everyone playing the specific area that we need to do. And they're doing it really well."

On player form  

“Yeah, I think Charlie on the weekend and Joel kicks four against Geelong.  At some stage, players are going to play well.  And for most part of their careers, I think Chad would be the first to admit he'd had a quiet couple of weeks leading into Richmond. But for the most part of the last few years, he's been one of our best players against really good teams. So I think people certainly will look at and start a narrative around the weekend's game.  But we look at over the course of the duration of the season and how they can complement and implement what we let them do at a certain time.” 

On the team's depth

“Yeah, I think it's important that you always have competition from underneath.  Brodie's been in pretty good form for a few years since he's been here. And I think they're just really competitive and want to play their best.  The thing I'm most proud of is, as you said, the depth underneath and the players that are coming into play when their opportunity presents.  And what they're doing when they do get into the team. Yeah, I sit down with them every week and talk through with them what's going to happen throughout the week. But I think one thing I want to do as well is reward the form of the players that are in in the VFL team.  So far, they've been really good.  But this weekend, we come up against a really hungry, fired up St Kilda team.” 

On Harry Kyle

“I think this week, he'll feel a lot more comfortable with what an AFL game looks like. I think the way he defended still, his ability to help out a teammate was really important last week. And then as the game sort of wore on, he started to look a little bit more comfortable with when we had the ball and what he could do in that space. So yeah, it's been a really sharp learning curve for him. That's one thing that's been great is the opportunity that he's had in three years of playing footy. He's come along really well.” 

On Sam Wick's 100 game milestone

“With Sam, to come down and try for a few years and then to get put on a rookie list and start as obviously a small forward trying to make his craft there. I think the thing that stuck out with Sam is just his work rate and his competitiveness.  That's what's made him turn into a really stable part of our backline at the minute. There's not many players and it is a very daunting job. You're playing on the small, most dangerous forwards in the competition.  He spent a lot of time playing on Papley and the like, learning his craft. Yeah, 100 games is a real credit to him.”

On Errol Gulden's injury

“He's been really good.  From meeting with the surgeon even before that, the work he's put in to get himself in the best condition.  We always knew that was going to happen. The surgeon a few weeks ticked off that he could start to build into some contact.  He's been doing that and we expect if there's no hiccups that he'll play that Brisbane game. I think the volume he's been able to do running-wise compared to with his ankle last year. He was really slow trying to get back to doing what he does best. That's cover the ground and kick the ball as often as he possibly can. He's been doing that for five or six weeks now. That's probably the confidence that he's going to get. He's put a lot of work in and he's fit. Now it's about trying to build the context work around his shoulder.  Then for us to get him going and play him in positions that he'll be best suited.” 

On Nasiah returning this week for Saints 

“He takes a fair bit of match committees time. What Naz can do on a football field is phenomenal. The player he is, what he does certainly through the middle of the ground and a license to go wherever he wants.  That's something we have to talk about. His influence in games is really prolific for the way they play. He's just one person but a very important part. We've spoken at length about St Kilda and their best. They've had one game where they haven't been within a goal or ten points at three-quarter time. Their footy has been really solid and we expect to really fire it up this season”