Dean Cox opens up on ‘devastating’ loss of premiership teammate Adam Selwood

Sydney coach and former Eagle Dean Cox has opened up on the ‘devastating’ loss of premiership teammate Adam Selwood, also commenting on the way the AFL deals with mental health.

Dean Cox admitted he was forced to have some “tough conversations” with friends and family on Saturday following the tragic passing of his West Coast premiership teammate Adam Selwood.

Selwood played 11 seasons at the West Coast Eagles with Cox, culminating in the ultimate highlight of their grand final triumph over the Sydney Swans in 2006.

The 41-year-old’s passing compounded an already heartbreaking year for the Selwood family after Adam’s twin brother, Troy, also tragically passed away in February.

Swans players had a few days off following Friday night’s win over Carlton, allowing them to break after back-to-back six-day breaks. And Cox admitted the awful news that came in on Saturday morning was hard to comprehend.

Cox was devastated to learn of Selwood’s passing.

“Yeah, it was a tough weekend for obviously the Selwood family, for the (West Coast) footy club and a lot of close mates to Adam,” Cox said.

“We spent a lot of time together. (It was) devastating to see that. There were some tough conversations on Saturday you had to have, which you never want to have.”

Cox also took the time to reflect on how far the AFL has come in dealing with player welfare over the past two decades. The Sydney coach has seen first-hand the development in the way the AFL currently deals with mental health, particularly since his time as a player.

The AFLPA reported that 429 former AFL and AFLW players, or their partners, sought mental health support during 2024, a nearly 24 per cent increase from the year before. The number of consults also rose 38 per cent year on year, demonstrating that more players and their families are using the resources available.

Cox and Selwood after a win.

However, while Cox wouldn’t be drawn in directly on whether the league would benefit from a mental health round, he felt strongly that players and members of the footy community had to be encouraged to always feel like they can speak up.

“There’s always continual growth in everything in mental health,” Cox said. “It’s been a huge area that has grown, but also so has the awareness behind it.

“Having people talk more about how they are feeling certainly would help that. For men, it’s probably the toughest thing to do and not probably the most known thing.

“The conversations you have to have, I’ve certainly learned over the short period recently that you might think things are going well, but you don’t actually know.

“(At clubs) we have welfare people, sports and clinical psychologists that actually look after the player. It’s the person before the player, and I think that has to happen. There’s a bit there, but still a lot of work to do.”

‘BAD BOYS’ NO MORE: SWANS AIM TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT

Swans coach Dean Cox admits his team is working on tackling and bumping techniques as they deal with being the most suspended team in the competition this season.

Sydney players have been handed 10 games worth of bans this season after round 10, three more games than any other team in the competition.

Joel Amartey became the latest player hit with an extensive suspension, missing the next three weeks after his high bump on Carlton’s Jordan Boyd. Justin McInerney was also hit with his second ban of the season after copping a one-week suspension for his mistimed bump on Jack Silvagni.

Amartey, in particular, had only just returned from a hamstring injury, with the Swans’ forward line now set to be led by Joel Hamling and likely Hayden McLean, who was dropped to the VFL last week.

Lewis Melican also remains on the sidelines with one more week to serve of his three-week ban for striking Toby Bedford in the Sydney Derby.

While Cox was eager to dismiss the tag that they are now the ‘Bad Boys’ of the AFL on Wednesday, he conceded that there is a combination of technique and discipline that the team need to work on to ensure they aren’t left in a position where they are without their best players long term.

Amartey and Melican have both been hit with three-week bans this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I addressed the players yesterday when they got back about the balance we need to find between the rules are there, you have to play to that,” Cox said.

“The bump and any contact you do make with the head, you’re a high possibility of being suspended for a number of weeks. So, we need our best players playing footy.

“They were aware we don’t want to do that as a football club. The technique stuff we touched on briefly, about as soon as you put your elbow in and hit them with your shoulder, you’re every possibility (of being suspended).

“They have to train that. Whether it’s arms out, not shoulder in, try and tackle. That’s the first thing we always say. Instead of bumping, players know now that if you’re doing that, any collision, you’re sitting on the sidelines.

“The way Melican plays his football, he’s not malicious at all. He made a bad decision. We want to make sure we can separate the two between bad decisions. Justin’s probably one that’s had two (suspensions), we need to be aware of his technique, and we’ve spoken to him about that.”

Cox admitted the Swans have spoken with McInerney after he received his second suspension of the season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Swans’ depth will be tested even further with Aaron Francis to miss this week’s clash against Melbourne through concussion, with Cox confident the key position player is progressing well through the protocols.

However, Sydney is set to be boosted by the return of captain Callum Mills on Sunday. Mills played a bit over a half of footy in the VFL last Friday and looked like he hadn’t missed any time at all, racking up possessions through the midfield and kicking a goal from long range.

While the 28-year-old still has to get through the main training session this week, Cox was adamant that it was the last thing in his way of an AFL return. Taylor Adams is also set to come back into consideration after 30 disposals and seven clearances in the VFL.

Swans captain Callum Mills is on the verge of his AFL return if he gets through one final training session on Thursday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“If (Callum) gets through the session, he’s playing,” Cox said.

“He played extremely well in the restricted minutes that he had on the weekend. There was always a plan last week. He got through yesterday, (if) he gets through tomorrow, he lines up for us, which is great.

“Callum hasn’t played a lot of AFL footy the past two years. So, the expectation is for him to come and contribute to the football team, not to be the best player on the ground.

“We’ve got to make sure he knows his role. He’ll play that really well and he’ll build as the weeks progress. Let’s get through one more, and it’ll be good to have our captain back.

“We’ve got to look at how many (players) come out and who we bring in. Ollie (Florent) was subbed last week, so we’ve got to look at that dynamic. (Taylor) did what he had to do on the weekend.”

Originally published as Dean Cox opens up on ‘devastating’ loss of premiership teammate Adam Selwood