Swans Icon Calls for Major Changes After Sydney Swans’ Grand Final Loss

The Sydney Swans are once again grappling with Grand Final disappointment after a crushing loss to the Brisbane Lions, continuing a streak of Grand Final defeats that stretches back to 2014. Despite entering the match as minor premiers and slight favorites, the Swans fell short, with a lopsided scoreline of 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60). Club legend Paul Roos, who masterminded the Swans’ 2005 premiership, didn’t hold back in his critique of the current team, pointing out significant flaws in both their game plan and effort. He highlighted how Sydney’s approach had drifted away from its traditional hard, defensive mindset, which left them vulnerable against a more aggressive Brisbane side. Roos emphasized that while the team is full of talent, their style of play is no longer formidable enough to win the biggest matches.

Roos’s main concern was how rarely Sydney managed to get numbers to the contest, a fundamental aspect of their game plan that was sorely lacking during the Grand Final. He noted that the Swans have become a team that’s tough to beat because of their skill but are no longer tough to play against. Their high-energy, attacking style may suit their home ground, but on bigger stages like the MCG, it gets exposed. The defensive gaps and lack of contested play were glaring, leading Roos to urge the team to return to its roots of a tougher, more physical brand of football if they hope to reclaim premiership success.

In addition to adjustments in their game plan, Roos called for hard decisions to be made about the Swans’ playing list. Drawing from his own experience, Roos shared how, during his coaching tenure, the leadership group had to make painful decisions to trade key players in order to maintain competitiveness. He pointed out that the current squad, which has fallen short in two Grand Finals in the last three years, might require similar sacrifices. Roos stressed that no matter how talented a player might be, if they cannot deliver their best performances on the biggest stage, they should be put on the market to shake up the team and reignite its competitive edge.

Roos concluded that while he still has faith in head coach John Longmire and the Swans’ overall structure, the reality of AFL is brutal, and tough calls need to be made to stay at the top. He acknowledged that the Swans have shown resilience, rebuilding quickly after down years, but the inability to win another premiership has revealed holes in their game plan and personnel. For Roos, the solution lies in both returning to a gritty, defensively sound style of play and being willing to trade good players if it means fixing underlying issues. It’s clear that Sydney must make bold moves to get back on track and once again become a dominant force in the AFL.