Swans former 'enemy' joins coaching staff

Oct 9, 2017 - 4:40 PM West Coast premiership winning player Dean Cox has agreed to fill the coaching vacancy left at the Sydney Swans by the departure of Stuart Dew.

The 36-year-old Cox has spent the past four years as an assistant coach at the Eagles, after finishing his decorated career as a playing coach in 2014.

One of the many highlights of that career was the 2006 AFL trophy in the thrilling one-point win over the Swans 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84).

Dew was named last week as the new head coach for the Gold Coast Suns, leaving the Swans to search for a suitable candidate to join John Longmire's staff.

Cox won't necessarily walk into Dew's former role, but he has been appointed to fill the vacancy in the football department.

He said leaving West Coast after nearly two decades as player and coach was hard and he would remain ever grateful to the club.

"The journey over the years has been an amazing ride," Cox told the Eagles website.

"I feel very privileged to have been able to represent this great club for such a long time.

"But I know the time is now right to begin a new chapter."

Sydney's head of football Tom Harley says he is rapt to secure Cox's services.

"We're really excited to have someone of Dean's calibre and experience join the Swans as an assistant coach for the 2018 season and beyond," Harley said.

"Dean will bring a fresh perspective following a highly decorated and successful playing career, as well as a solid foundation in the assistant coaching ranks."

Cox was recruited by the Eagles in the 2000 rookie draft and went on to become West Coast's games-record holder finishing his career on 290, including the 2006 premiership.

The competition's premier ruckman during his playing career, Cox was a six-time All-Australian and best and fairest winner.

Source: AAP