South Cairns Cutters coach will use one of the greatest AFL coaches blueprints for success

The new South Cairns Cutters coach played under one of the smartest coaches in the AFL, now he has the opportunity to push that culture as the Cutters chase success.

The new South Cairns Cutters coach played under one of the smartest coaches in the AFL, now he has the opportunity to push that culture as the Cutters chase success.

The Cutters have signed former Sydney Swans star Daryn Cresswell last Tuesday as the new head coach for 2024 and 2025.

Cresswell finished off his final two years at AFL level, under the coaching of Swans legend Paul Roos.

Roos, who played along side Cresswell in 1995 to 1997, ended the longest AFL/VFL premiership drought of 72 years, leading the Swans to the 2005 premiership.

Cresswell’s acquisition comes about a month after it was announced current Cutters coach Chris Baksh would not return after this season.

Cresswell said he is looking forward to the challenge of bringing success back to the club.

“My years playing at the Bloods (Sydney Swans) has really helped my coaching career and focusing on the club culture to build success,” Cresswell said.

Former Sydney Swan gun Daryn Cresswell will coach the South Cairns Cutters in 2024. Picture: Supplied

“They built it (success) especially around Paul Roos when he was there as coach and the success came from then.

“I was at one of the (Cutters) games a few weeks ago and I was surprised at how good the skill level is of the competition and players from the club.

“That helped me make my decision in the end, actually it was a pretty easy decision.”

Cresswell will be joined in Cairns by his wife Joanne and son Jaedyn, with the family set to relocate in October, just before the 2024 pre-season kicks off for the Cutters.

The former Swan has spent the past two years coaching Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League in southern New South Wales.

“It was actually similar to coming the Cutters next season, but the Rovers didn’t win a game the year before I joined them,” Cresswell said.

“We then just missed the finals first season and made the prelims the next season.

“There is some seriously good talent at the Cutters which I am excited about coaching.

“I am recruiting a few players as well to join them next year as well, so it will be good to coach them again.”

Cresswell joined Sydney in 1991, where he played 244 games in the red and white, finishing in the top four for Club Champion on eight occasions.

The hard-as-nails midfielder was named the Swans most improved player in 1993 followed by winning the Bob Skilton Medal as the Swans best in 1994.

Originally from Tasmania, Cresswell is widely remembered for belting his badly dislocated left knee back into place during his 100th game in 1997.

In 2022, Cresswell was inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall-of-Fame along side Peter Reville, Arthur Hiskins and Tom Bushell, who were among South Melbourne’s best footballers in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Cresswell’s senior AFL career came to an end after a preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Lions, who went on to complete an AFL premiership three-peat.

Originally published as South Cairns Cutters coach will use one of the greatest AFL coaches blueprints for success