AFL Sydney v Hawthorn: Live updates, news and scores from Opening Round

From his rookie year to his 250th game, Jake Lloyd has had one coach. The Sydney milestone man tells LACHLAN MCKIRDY about how Dean Cox — and Grand Final pain — are driving the Swans.

For 249 games, Jake Lloyd has played his footy under just one coach. Since making his debut in 2014 after coming off the club’s rookie list, all he’s ever known is being guided by John Longmire.

But now, as he prepares for his milestone 250th match at the SCG on Friday night, he’ll have a new figure to look towards as Dean Cox takes charge of the Swans for the very first time against Hawthorn.

“I didn’t know any different fronting up pre-season after pre-season,” Lloyd said.

“It’s obviously been different.

“(John) is a phenomenal person. He’s helped shape the way I am as a person and a player and enabled me to experience nearly everything being a footballer has to offer.

“He pushed me as a person in the early days to be more of a leader, and he’s someone I can relate to. He grew up in the country and would get down to the river when he had time off, something I enjoyed doing myself.

“It’s great to still have him around the building; he’s in his shirt and his Nikes rolling around on the floor. But it’s been a real change in terms of just a different voice.

Jake Lloyd is up and about! 😍#AFLGiantsSwanspic.twitter.com/mpxcJBToL2

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“Coxy has got great relationships with a lot of the guys already having been here for seven or eight years previously. But to have him take over, it’s a fresh vibe and new energy around the building. The boys are certainly loving his way of coaching.”

While the Swans will be looking to step up for Cox as he prepares to coach his first AFL match, Lloyd’s milestone is also set to act as motivation against the Hawks.

Behind Dane Rampe, he’s currently the club’s second-longest serving player. He’s also the most decorated, with two Bob Skilton Medals to his name.

There is a fresh feel around the Swans according to Lloyd since Cox took over. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And as he reflects on more than a decade playing in red and white, at just 31, Lloyd certainly has the potential to go down as one of the club’s best players with many years to come.

“It’s pretty wild to think about from where I came from,” Lloyd said.

“To think when I arrived here 13 years ago that I’d be playing 250 games is crazy.

“As a kid coming through, you just want this opportunity. I’ve been fortunate to come to a stable club that allows you to get the best out of yourself.

Jake Lloyd during his rookie year with the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Early days, a lot of feedback was, ‘You’re playing some good football in the twos, we need to see more of it’. That drove me. If I had a good game, I wasn’t getting ahead of myself. I didn’t play a senior game my whole first year. It was putting in the work. Having to really earn my spot held me in good stead.

“As a player, when you put that jumper on, you want to deliver. A lot of people have come before me and have allowed me to continue to play on this stage. I’m not going to be here forever, so I (want to) leave my mark on the footy club the best way I can and allow the future generations to continually thrive off that.”

Rampe and Lloyd have an important role to play as the Swans’ most senior leaders as they look to return to the grand final in 2025. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While Lloyd hasn’t yet experienced the ultimate success of a premiership after four grand finals, he’s already forged some incredible memories in the red and white.

He played in the match where Buddy Franklin kicked his 1000th goal. He emotionally recalls the Swans’ final game in 2019, where they farewelled Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith on the same afternoon at the SCG.

But despite the way last season ended, Lloyd still believes he can help lead this current group to something special and complete his footy resume.

“It’s probably one of the more talented groups I’ve ever been a part of,” Lloyd said.

“So, it drives me to be better every day and continue to push those younger guys.

The SCG will play host to several milestones against the Hawks, but Lloyd’s 250th is a significant one for a legend of the Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“For Ramps and I, it’s probably a good thing because they keep us young. I’m one of the older boys now in the group, although I certainly don’t feel that way in terms of my body.

“The ability to review (the grand final) and move on and come with a bit of fire in our bellies this year, it’s been evident. We’re pushing each other to high standards on the training track, and it’s flourished again this pre-season.

“As an older player who’s been there in that position multiple times, it feels fresh at the moment. We’re energised, and we’re ready to get on that start line with the other 17 teams and have a real crack at this year.”

David Hale expects the midfield battle to be crucial in Friday night’s clash. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

HALE: MIDFIELD BATTLE WILL DECIDE SEASON OPENER

Hawthorn assistant coach David Hale is expecting a fierce midfield battle to determine the first victor of the 2025 season.

The Swans will host the Hawks in what is now the first game of the season, with Brisbane’s clash against Geelong officially postponed to round 3.

Hale said Hawthorn’s young midfield brigade is ready for the Swans stars, headlined by Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and James Rowbottom.

“The nucleus of our midfield is all very young,” he said.

“Worpel and Nash at 25, 26 are probably our oldest, so in terms of a midfielder, in terms of AFL that’s coming into the prime of your career.

“We’ve got some good young players in (Jai) Newcombe and (Will) Day, at 22, 23 and (Josh) Ward and (Cam) Mackenzie.

“The more those guys continue to play together the better they’re going to be.

“There’s no AFL midfield that’s a walkover, you’ve got good players in the good line every single week.

“Warner and Heeney and the guys they bring through there, Rowbottom, they’re really good players so we expect a good challenge.”

Nick Watson could be deployed in the midfield during Hawthorn’s clash with the Swans.

Sydney will be without Errol Gulden for the opening months of the season after a nasty ankle injury in the Community Series, but the Hawks enter the new campaign with a relatively healthy list.

Dashing defender Changkuoth Jiath is the only short-term injury at the Hawks and is expected to return in the opening month of the season, while Mitch Lewis, Calsher Dear, James Blanck and Sam Butler all increase their training loads after serious injuries.

The mostly injury-free summer will give the Hawks a chance to see fresh looks in the midfield rotation, with Hale suggesting Nick Watson could see some action. 

“The guys like Dylan Moore play inside for us, Nick Watson we want to give a bit more exposure to as well, a bit of X-factor and speed around the ball,” he said.

“Chad Warner is obviously a prime example of a guy who’s centre-forward and can hit the scoreboard and that’s something our midfield group wants to develop this year.”

Originally published as AFL Sydney v Hawthorn: Live updates, news and scores from Opening Round