‘Get their trust back’: Swans coach’s vow to fans after emotional ending
Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox has vowed the club will do everything possible to get the trust back of its fans after a minor walk-out occurred before the men’s sides clash with North Melbourne.
Sunday’s match came a week after an alleged Melbourne hotel incident that is being investigated by police and led to five Swans players – Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, James Jordon, Chad Warner and Riley Bice – being stood down for the rest of the season.
Callum Mills of the Swans embraces Swans head coach Dean Cox Getty Images
The SCG hosted a double-header with Sydney’s AFLW team playing Essendon in the first match. While it wasn’t a mass exit, a group of fans did walk out after the women’s teams win, in protest of the crisis the club has found itself in.
Cox said he understood why those supporters took that action.
“Everyone’s emotions are different and the way they want to support and show up and we understood that,” he said in his press conference.
“For mine, I said yesterday, I’m sorry for putting everyone through this, and we’ll do everything we can to get their trust back.”
The Swans won their clash with North Melbourne 17.21 (123) - 10.10 (70), with emotion flowing in the aftermath.
Captain Callum Mills and star midfielder Errol Gulden were in tears at full-time, in front of those who remained of the 30,058-strong crowd at the SCG.
The scenes in the coaches’ box were also emotional at full-time, with head coach Cox seen walking around giving out hugs.
Chants of Syyyyyd-neyyyyy rung out, and there was clapping and cheering.
“I’m so grateful for our fans for sticking with us,” Mills told Fox Footy.
“And how we stayed so united as a club this week, I’m really proud of that.”
Cox admitted he was “really nervous” about how his side would perform on Sunday.
“One thing we wanted to do was show up as well as we possibly could for our football club, and we’ll continue to do that,” he said.
“I think from our VFL to yesterday, to our AFLW program, to our men’s program, the week we’ve endured at the start of the week, to rally and stand together was the most pleasing thing.”
