Swans Coach Slams Strange AFL Fixture Quirk

Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox has criticized the AFL’s scheduling, describing a specific fixturing quirk as strange and suggesting the draw may require reconsideration.

The coach’s frustrations stem from the team’s schedule leading into the final round of the season. The Swans are set to face West Coast for the first time this year in the final round, which also marks Cox’s first time facing his former club as a senior coach.

According to reporting from AFL.com.au, the Swans are scheduled to play two teams for the first time in their final two games of the season. This occurs despite the fact that Sydney has already played six other clubs twice during the 2025-2026 period.

Concerns Over Fixture Balance

Cox acknowledged the difficulty of organizing a schedule for 18 teams, including those based interstate, but maintained that the current arrangement is unusual.

But We see strange that we play two teams for the first time in our last two games when we’ve played six teams twice.

Dean Cox

The Swans coach noted that these scheduling decisions fall under the purview of Tom Harley, who is moving into the role of Chief Operating Officer at the AFL.

The timing of the critique follows a Sunday match against Geelong, where Cox expressed disappointment in how the Swans faded during the second half. He stated that the team lacked pride in their performance during the final quarter and a half of that contest.

Impact on Finals Race

While Cox did not use the fixture as an excuse for Sydney’s failure to secure a place in the eight, he suggested that the timing of matches against lower-ranked sides could influence a team’s longevity in the finals race. He noted that an earlier clash against the one-win West Coast Eagles might have helped keep the Swans in contention for longer.

The upcoming match against West Coast, described as the wooden spooners, takes place on a Saturday night. Cox expressed wariness regarding the potential for the Eagles to secure only their second win of the season against his side.

Broader AFL Scheduling Context

The AFL’s approach to the fixture has been a point of contention. The league has previously stated that its primary key performance indicators for scheduling are broadcast viewership and attendance.

The current system utilizes a mix of algorithms and commercial compromises to satisfy host broadcasters and penetrate specific markets. This has led to criticisms that the fixture prioritizes commercial imperatives over competitive fairness and high-performance balance.

The 2026 season continues with several key matchups scheduled for the upcoming round, including:

• Carlton vs. Collingwood on April 16
• Geelong vs. Bulldogs on April 17
• Sydney vs. Greater Western Sydney on April 17
• Gold Coast vs. Essendon on April 18
• Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide on April 18
• Adelaide vs. St Kilda on April 18
• North Melbourne vs. Richmond on April 19
• Melbourne vs. Brisbane on April 19
• West Coast vs. Fremantle on April 19